ACLJ Calls Arizona’s Search for Truth about the Fast & Furious Program “Justified and Necessary”

"The Justice Department has been less than forthcoming about its role in the failed operation, and we're hopeful the Arizona investigation will produce answers," said Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2012—An Arizona investigation into the failed Department of Justice plan that allowed weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels and led to the death of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent is justified and necessary, the nation's top conservative public interest law firm said today. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) believes Arizona's House Speaker made the right move by creating a special panel to look into the controversial Operation Fast and Furious program and determine whether federal officials broke any Arizona laws.

"The state of Arizona's decision to launch a probe into this botched program is clearly warranted and underscores the serious nature of what took place with this deadly federally-run law enforcement program," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. "Combined with a Congressional investigation that's still underway, the Arizona probe represents an important opportunity to get to the bottom of what really happened with this flawed program."

Arizona's investigation comes after the Department of Justice admitted to providing false information about the program to Congress and just days before Attorney General Holder will be questioned before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Feb. 2.

Earlier this week, a top Justice Department official in Arizona refused to provide testimony before a U.S. House Committee, citing his constitutional right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment.

"The Justice Department has been less than forthcoming about its role in the failed operation, and we're hopeful the Arizona investigation will produce answers—something that both Arizona citizens and the American people deserve," said Sekulow.

The ACLJ has heard from more than 50,000 Americans nationwide urging President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to provide the truth about Operation Fast and Furious.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington.

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