Lankford: Holder Sets Wrong Example for Graduating Cadets

Statement

Representative James Lankford (R-OK) expressed disappointment at the decision to invite Attorney General Eric Holder to the cadet graduation ceremony for the Oklahoma City Police Department. AG Holder is reportedly scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the cadet graduation ceremony for the department's Recruit Class #131 on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. Central Time at First Church downtown.

"It's incredibly ironic that our nation's "top cop,' AG Holder, who is delinquent in producing thousands of subpoenaed documents to the House Oversight Committee, was chosen to come to Oklahoma City on Thursday to swear-in our newest police cadets," said Lankford.

"Oklahoma City's newest law enforcement officers should treat their duties of faithfully protecting and serving our community with the honor and dignity of their positions, not like AG Holder's tactics of obfuscation and redirection of blame. I do not think our state has ever asked a federal official who is currently in Contempt of Congress to speak to our graduates.

"Given his numerous questionable decisions, his unwillingness to cooperate with congressional investigations and his Justice Department's opacity under this President, he would not be my first choice to stand as this Administration's example of justice, leadership and integrity.

"I hold the brave members of Oklahoma's law enforcement in the highest esteem and on behalf of all Oklahomans extend our thanks for keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe. They are our first line of defense against crime and are frequently the first to respond in times of crisis. They deserve leadership from Washington that reflects the hard work and justice they seek on a daily basis. AG Holder's action before Congress and his unwillingness to cooperate with our investigations of Operation Fast & Furious, the IRS targeting scandal and numerous other Justice Department boondoggles led the U. S. House to finally hold him in Contempt of Congress.

"Holder's Justice Department dragged its feet through multiple congressional investigations. For an executive agency with "justice' in their title, they seem remarkably reticent to seek it when it involves their boss. It is completely unacceptable that the AG stands in an honorable and important post in our government and ensures that he is above reproach for actions underneath him," concluded Lankford.

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