Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz considers the rising tide of opposition to Attorney General Eric Holder — and the first congressional Democrat’s refusal to say if he supports Holder — attributable to the Justice Department’s lack of honesty throughout the investigation into Operation Fast and Furious.
“The attorney general has not been candid and forthright in providing documents to the United States Congress as he is required with the subpoenas,” Chaffetz told Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer Tuesday morning when asked why the pressure for Holder’s resignation continues to build.
“The Inspector General at Department of Justice had access to nearly 80,000 documents yet the United States Congress has only received about 6,000 documents,” he added. “We think he is in violation of his subpoena and we’re getting to the point where our frustration has gone beyond the point of reason and you know we’re looking at considering holding the attorney general in contempt.”
On Monday a spokesperson for Oklahoma Democratic Rep. Dan Boren told TheDC that he had “no comment” on whether he still has confidence in Holder. That’s the first time a member of Holder’s own political party has openly refused to defend him.
Chaffetz, a member of both House committees with jurisdiction for the investigation — the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Judiciary Committee — has not personally demanded Holder’s resignation.
Even so, 121 of his House colleagues have called for Holder to step down, signed a resolution of “no confidence” in Holder, or both. Three U.S. senators, two sitting governors and all the major Republican presidential candidates join them.
When Hemmer asked why Chaffetz hasn’t personally made the call for Holder to step down, the Utah Republican said he wants to “see all the documents before I come to the final conclusion.” (SEE ALSO: TheDC’s complete Fast and Furious coverage)
“What I think though is clear at this point is that, despite what President Obama has said repeatedly throughout his campaign and then his term in the White House, is they’re not being candid and forthright, they are not providing the documents and openness and transparency that he promised,” Chaffetz added.
WATCH: Chaffetz discusses Fast and Furious: