Attorney General Eric Holder appeared before the House today to answer questions about the Justice Department's subpoenaing of the Associated Press. Anyone who was hoping that they would get answers out of Holder was left disappointed; the Attorney General recused himself from the inquiry on Tuesday.
Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said the AP investigation "appears to be contrary to the law and standard procedure," according to Politico. The chairman tried to get Holder to explain why the news organization wasn't given notice prior to receiving the subpoenas.
"I do not know with regard to this particular case why that was or was not done," Holder said. "I have faith in the people who would actually be responsible for this case they were aware of the rules and they followed them. But I don't have a factual basis to answer the question because I was recused.
Since Holder was not giving any new information on the investigation, he would instead serve as a punching bag for grandstanding representatives who wanted to make their opinions heard on the subject.
"It seems to me clear that the actions of the department have in fact impaired the First Amendment," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Ca. "Reporters who might have previously believed that a confidential source would speak to them will no longer have that level of confidence because those confidential sources are now going to be chilled in their relationship with the press.
"It seems to me the damage done to a free press is substantial and will continue until corrective action is taken," Lofgren said.
Holder maintained that he knew nothing of the investigation, while suggesting that he is in agreement that action needs to be taken to correct what has been done.
"This is an ongoing matter and also an ongoing matter about which I know nothing," Holder said. "I do think that at the conclusion of this matter, given the attention that it has generated, that some kind of after-action analysis would be appropriate. I pledge to this committee and the American people that I will engage in such analysis."
The hearing is still going on and can be seen here.
