Well for the first of all there's some documents.
Republicans are point to the watchdog report on fast and furious the bungled a gun trafficking investigation which resulted in the death of US Border Patrol agent Brian -- As a sign of incompetence in the Obama administration.
The Justice Department inspector general giving testimony today on Capitol Hill confirming.
That there were clear failures.
The fact that the deputy director could see the need for an exit strategy in march of 2010.
And not receive it and review it until 2011.
I think speaks volumes about what happened here in terms of failures of oversight.
Iowa senator Charles Grassley is the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee -- welcome great to have you here today sir.
Glad to be where you were.
Let me ask you this do you think of this is the first step in restoring the public faith and confidence back in the Justice Department and as -- go far enough.
Well it's going to go a long ways particularly from the standpoint of an inspector general who did have.
Pretty good report very good report.
And he showed he's independents as we ought to and I'm sure -- had a great deal of political pressure.
I'm not to say some of the things he did but that's the purpose of an inspector general.
And when you have transparency.
You have accountability.
And the more accountability you have been that this brings accountability to the Justice Department obviously it's going to help.
And I know there are a lot of concerns about the use of executive privilege in this whole investigation.
What do you think in terms of the way in the report handled this concerned.
Well for the first of all there's some documents.
At the White House.
That they didn't even get to the inspector general not one thing to say executive privilege congress can't happen but you think within the -- government.
It ought to be open and transparent particularly when this president said he's going to be the most transparent.
Secondly there may be some compromise.
Of this executive privilege already because what there were about 300 some pages almost 400 pages.
Stuff that previously had been.
Presumed to have executive privilege that came with the inspector general report.
So that may be an opening -- but don't forget the house representatives is pursuing in court.
Our review of executive privilege.
And I hope that review is or executive privilege is knocked down because we've got 74000.
Pages that we still gotta see before we get to the bottom of this in our constitutional responsibility of oversight.
I know that you have stated that all of this could have been stopped early on if people I had just.
Been able to rebuild wiretap applications.
without a doubt you have you know for instance this.
A report kind of revolves -- Assistant attorney general -- brewer.
Of any -- But he admitted that he allied guys -- report -- when he would grew it.
And also all there's we have emails from other sources that indicate to us that he knew all about that February 4 the -- As one indication.
And then if they have read the wiretaps.
Had a time hire out.
You know it would have been pretty -- that that this thing could have been stopped a long time before Brian Terry was murdered would you would -- with these guns.
We have fact that we're hearing reports that determine I says going to be pressing ahead with the civil suit against Eric Holder to try to get him to turn over more.
The documents is that something you're gonna support.
--
Absolutely I'm weren't supportive because listen if the president of the United States gets away.
With the 74000.
Pages of executive privilege and you and remember executive privilege is just supposed to be a client.
-- relationship between the president and these White House staff.
And it goes to 74000.
Pages and the Justice Department you can see what an abuse of executive authority.
An executive privilege that that is we can't let that happen.
Senator it's always great to see thank you so much for joining us today with your insights.