Free Republic

John Solomon, writing in the Washington Guardian, is reporting today that B. Todd Jones, the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), released a video last week to all employees. In the video, Jones warns that there would be “consequences” for any employees who report wrongdoing outside their chain of command. Jones was a federal prosecutor when Attorney General Eric Holder asked him to lead the embattled agency after the Fast and Furious scandal. He is supposed to improve morale and instill a new culture in the aftermath of that scandal. Jones' precise words are:...

Senator Charles Grassley and Congressman Darrell Issa are strongly criticizing a video message from B. Todd Jones, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to agency employees that might discourage them from stepping forward as whistleblowers. They sent a letter to Jones on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning, a San Diego newspaper came to Issa’s defense when it labeled a “watchdog” group now demanding that Issa be held in contempt of Congress as being, in reality, a “front group” set up by Democrats “to pursue and defend their interests.” It is the latest chapter in the...

A video message from ATF Acting Director Todd Jones on July 9, 2012, to ATF staff presents a disturbing message to potential whistleblowers in the agency. The acting director says, "... if you don't find the appropriate way to raise your concerns to your leadership, there will be consequences. ..." Sen. Chuck Grassley says the essence of whistleblowing is reporting problems outside of an employee's chain of command, and whistleblowers were instrumental in exposing the shortcomings of Operation Fast and Furious.