AG Eric Holder disrespects Congress on contempt, ‘You don’t want to go there, Buddy’
Attorney General Eric Holder got into a tense confrontation with Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) during a his appearance before a House Judicial Committee oversight hearing Tuesday.
Screenshot of video: Eric Holder waving his finger telling Congress to ‘not go there’ with contempt remarks
The incident occurred when Gohmert raised the threat of holding the attorney general in contempt of Congress, leading Holder to fire back, “You don’t want to go there, buddy.”
Gohmert was referencing the 2012 vote by the House of Representatives to hold Holder in contempt for refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents related to Operation Fast and Furious.
Raising the possibility of another such vote, Gohmert said, “I realize that contempt is not a big deal to our attorney general, but it is important that we have proper oversight.”
“You don’t want to go there, buddy,” Holder said, interrupting Gohmert. “You don’t want to go there.”
When Gohmert countered, questioning what he meant, Holder explained, “You should not assume that that is not a big deal to me.”
Pointing his finger at the congressman, he continued, “I think that it was inappropriate and it was unjust, but never think that was not a big deal to me, don’t ever think that.”
“Well, I’m just looking for evidence,” Gohmert replied. “And normally, we’re known by our fruits. And there have been no indication that it was a big deal because your department has still not been forthcoming in producing the documents that were the subject of the contempt.”
Holder got in one last dig at the congressman: “Good luck with your asparagus.”
It may have seemed like a non sequitur, but Holder’s remark was actually a call back to a comment Gohmert made during a hearing last may. “The attorney general will not cast aspersions on my asparagus,” Gohmert told Holder at the time, without any further explanation.
