DesJarlais Gives Support to Effort to Impeach Holder

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Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais doesn't mind that many political observers dismiss his effort to impeach Attorney General Eric Holder as a publicity stunt.

DesJarlais of Jasper contends his constituents are behind it, and that's all that matters.

"Right is right. The attorney general has violated the law and is not fit to serve the American people. I cannot control the actions of other members of the House and Senate, but I can and will represent the wishes of my district," the lawmaker said in a statement Wednesday.

DesJarlais was one of the original co-sponsors of a bill filed earlier this month that calls for the House to impeach Holder -- an action tantamount to an indictment -- for "high crimes and misdemeanors," so that he can face a Senate trial and possible removal from office.

In all, 23 Republicans back the effort, which originated with Rep. Pete Olson of Texas.

Among the charges they make against Holder:

* Refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on October 12, 2011, seeking information and documents regarding Operation Fast and Furious. Fast and Furious was a plan to allow guns from the United States to pass into the hands of smugglers in hopes they could ultimately be traced to those running Mexican drug cartels. Federal officials lost track of hundreds of firearms, many of which have been linked to crimes.

* Failure to enforce multiple laws, including the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, the Controlled Substances Act and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Even though they fault him with failing to defend it, the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in June.

* Refusal to prosecute the Internal Revenue Service officials involved in the alleged targeting of conservative political groups.

* Giving allegedly false testimony under oath before Congress on May 15, 2013, about the Justice Department investigation of journalist James Rosen. The department seized email records of Rosen, a Fox News reporter, as part of an investigation of leaks of classified material. The department's pursuit of records of other news organizations proved controversial as well.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the impeachment bill.

"It seems Mr. Holder has confused his job to enforce the law with a permission to disobey it," DesJarlais said.

"The conduct displayed by the attorney general would lead to criminal charges being filed against any other American. Mr. Holder should not receive special consideration solely based on his title."

But some observers see it as another in a series of politically motivated attacks by House Republicans on Obama.

"This is just another political sideshow from House Republicans to try to slow down the Obama administration," said Don Kusler, executive director of Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal advocacy group.

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