Kirk to Holder: Is DOJ spying on Congress? (& SCOTUS?)

Washington Examiner ^ | June 6 | Joel Gehrke

[PghBaldy]

“With all due respect, Senator, I don’t think this is an appropriate setting for me to discuss [this issue],” Holder replied during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing when Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., asked if the executive branch was conducting surveillance that would give “unique leverage” over lawmakers.

Kirk replied that “the correct answer would be no, we stayed within our lane, and we did not spy on Members of Congress.”

Holder assured Kirk that “there is no intention to do anything of that nature — that is, to spy on Members of Congress or to spy on the Supreme Court.”

[PghBaldy]

I was STUNNED by his answer, and by Kirk asking the questions. WOW!!! I watched it live and was shocked it was not being covered.

[TexasCajun]

The fact that Holder refused to say 'no' was the same as taking the 5th in my opinion.

Very shocking.

[dirtboy]

Holder assured Kirk that “there is no intention to do anything of that nature — that is, to spy on Members of Congress or to spy on the Supreme Court.”

In other words, they are doing just that.

[cripplecreek]

“With all due respect, Senator, I don’t think this is an appropriate setting for me to discuss [this issue],”

Wow.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Of course they are - and clearly, they have the goods on Boehner, McCain, Graham, and their ilk.

[crosslink]

that is, to spy on Members of Congress or to spy on the “Supreme Court.”

Why did he add the court? Roberts explained?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Of course they are - and clearly, they have the goods on Boehner, McCain, Graham, and their ilk.

Just like J. Edgar did. This is nothing new.

[Timber Rattler]

Weasel words from Holder. The short answer is clearly YES, or else why would he parse?

[yorkiemom]

Great tagline.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

J. Eric Holder

[fhayek]

Obama came to power through tough operations research on his political opponents. He was able to dig up dirt on in the sealed divorce records of a people who ran against him. Given the power of the FBI, and other intelligence gatherings agencies, why would it be crazy to think that he is not still doing spying on his opponents? In fact, it is logical to assume that he is.

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

Did a Senator or House Rep. say there was a ‘bug’ in the cloakroom? I don’t think he was kidding. You can bet team 0bama was spying on John Roberts like crazy leading up to his 0bamacare decision. Probably got some incriminating bathhouse photos.

[showme_the_Glory]

Barrock, help, I need executive privelige again, fast.

[kabar]

The answer was was meant to intimidate and to plant fear. Holder was saying that you, Congress and SCOTUS, are being watched and any information we have on you can be used any way we want.

[BCR #226]

You hit the nail on the head.

DOJ and the Obama Administration are OUT OF CONTROL! They’re worse than a rabid pit bull.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

The palace coup is upon is complete an nobody noticed.

[txmissy]

We are screwed.

[PghBaldy]

He did say words to that effect, but he is very new in office, and backtracked in same interview.

[Cheerio]

We all know very well the Obozo and Holder ARE SPYING on both Congress and SCOTUS. We do not need proof - the very proof is in the Admin’s pattern of unaccountable behavior over the past 5 years, which has accelerated since the 2nd term commenced.

[The Cajun]

Holder assured Kirk that “there is no intention to do anything of that nature

He should have added *But if it happens, it happens*.

Carefully chosen weasel words and note, he used the word "is" and not was.

Interesting the choice of "is".