Holder answers critics on gun-smuggling issue

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder says his testimony to Congress about a controversial gun-smuggling probe was truthful and accurate and that Republicans are engaging in political posturing when they say otherwise...

TheGrio Staff

Oct 7, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder says his testimony to Congress about a controversial gun-smuggling probe was truthful and accurate and that Republicans are engaging in political posturing when they say otherwise.

In his most forceful criticism of Republicans during his time as attorney general, Holder says he cannot sit idly by while a congressman suggests that law enforcement and government employees be considered accessories to murder.

Key Republicans say the attorney general knew many months earlier than he has admitted that the gun-smuggling probe involved agents letting guns pass from small-time straw purchasers to arms traffickers.

Holder says he has no recollection of knowing about the operation, called “Fast and Furious”, or of hearing its name before the public controversy about it early this year.