B. Todd Jones Resigns as Director of the ATF After Bullet Ban Scandal

[pianoman9701]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Why doesn't he take the snake oil salesman Holder with him?

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/297028421.html

WASHINGTON — The first Senate-confirmed director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leaving the post after less than two years, the agency announced Friday.

B. Todd Jones' resignation is effective March 31. After that, Deputy Director Thomas Brandon will become acting director.

"I will truly miss leading and working side-by-side with these men and women in their pursuit of ATF's unique law enforcement and regulatory mission," Jones said in a statement Friday.

President Barack Obama nominated Jones in January 2013, and he was approved by the Senate about six months later.

Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder praised Jones' tenure Thursday, saying he "cemented his reputation as an exemplary leader, a consummate professional, and an outstanding public servant."

"He has made bold changes, advanced forward-looking policies, and taken innovative steps to strengthen ATF's investigative capabilities_including ballistic imaging technology that recently played a critical role in the investigation of the shooting of two police officers," Holder said in a statement. "And as a result of Todd's leadership, ATF has built a proactive, creative, and effective team that is well-prepared to drive the agency into the future."

Before being approved by the Senate, the former U.S. attorney in Minnesota spent nearly two years as acting director. He was asked to lead the agency after a leadership shake-up in the wake of the failed gun-running investigation known as "Fast and Furious."

During his confirmation hearing, Jones told lawmakers that the ATF was in "distress" when he took the helm on an interim basis in 2011. At the time, Jones said he was making a variety of changes within the agency to improve its leadership and internal procedures.

Jones was nominated to the post in the aftermath of the December 2012 mass shooting at a Connecticut where 26 people, including 20 children, were killed. The appointment was part of the Obama administration's efforts to push for tougher gun control laws. Multiple bills failed in Congress, but Jones' approval was considered a rare victory in the gun control debate.

The Senate had been authorized to approve the ATF's director since 2006 but never did so before Jones' confirmation, leaving the agency with a series of interim leaders.

Under Jones' tenure, the agency faced renewed criticism about its investigative tactics, including the use of so-called storefront and sting operations to pursue violent criminals. Most recently, the agency came under fire for proposing an end to a rule exemption that allowed the sale and manufacture of certain types of bullets used in the popular AR-15-style rifles that could pierce a police officer's protective fest when fired from a handgun.

The proposed rule change would have effectively outlawed "M855 green tip" or "SS109" rounds with certain types of metal core projectiles. Most of the more than 80,000 public comments about the proposal were critical of the plan, and nearly 300 members of Congress — majorities in both the House and Senate — also complained. The effort was abandoned earlier this month.

Jones' departure was applauded by the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Bob Goodlatte. The Virginia Republican has been critical of the agency's management and was among those lawmakers who objected to the ammunition rule change.

"It is clear the ATF needs a change in leadership to repair its tarnished image," Goodlatte said.

[JimmyHoffa]

Holder resigned a while ago....just hasn't left. 

[pianoman9701]

Holder resigned a while ago....just hasn't left. 

I know. Why? I guess finding and appointing someone equally willing to ignore their oath of office isn't as easy as electing and putting one in the White House.

[timberfaller]

 "tarnished image," 

THEY'VE never had one!! except of being one of the worst "Fed Agency".

[Bean Counter]

What a search for a replacement indeed. You have to find someone willing to ignore corruption within your own party but won't hesitate to persecute an honest street cop for doing his job.

[Special T]

Dont let the door hit ya, where the good Lord Split ya!~

[pianoman9701]

Dont let the door hit ya, where the good Lord Split ya!~

That's Fred Sanford.

[JJB11B]

I didnt like the guy already, add to the fact that he was nominated by Obama and praised by Eric Holder.  Rage

[pianoman9701]

It only just occurred to me that he may have been asked to resign to put in someone more effective at enacting gun restrictions.

[Jingles]

He won't say it but I'd believe him if he said he was resigning because he was tired of the BS coming from the WH as in could and would not continue to lie and deceive the people. Or he is just bailing out to protect his azz from the overthrow

[RadSav]

Holder resigned a while ago....just hasn't left. 

I know. Why? I guess finding and appointing someone equally willing to ignore their oath of office isn't as easy as electing and putting one in the White House.

You're looking for another communist in America willing to endure investigation.  One that will ignore any law the president wants ignored and also look the other way when the Black Panthers want to break the law on national television.  Then of course you also need a two faced one willing to be a racist and preach against racism at the same time.  Those are probably hard to find

[JJB11B]

Holder resigned a while ago....just hasn't left. 

I know. Why? I guess finding and appointing someone equally willing to ignore their oath of office isn't as easy as electing and putting one in the White House.

You're looking for another communist in America willing to endure investigation.  One that will ignore any law the president wants ignored and also look the other way when the Black Panthers want to break the law on national television.  Then of course you also need a two faced one willing to be a racist and preach against racism at the same time.  Those are probably hard to find

Surprised he didn't nominate Sharpton or Jackson

[RadSav]

Surprised he didn't nominate Sharpton or Jackson

Not sure he could.  Getting a Sharpton or Jackson degree in Divinity/Theology is something achieved by answering the ad on the back of a Cracker Jacks box or enrolling in a "DeBuy" a degree University.  To be an attorney you have to past a test.  And that would require you to be smart enough to actually read beyond a fourth grade level.

[JJB11B]

Surprised he didn't nominate Sharpton or Jackson

Not sure he could.  Getting a Sharpton or Jackson degree in Divinity/Theology is something achieved by answering the ad on the back of a Cracker Jacks box or enrolling in a "DeBuy" a degree University.  To be an attorney you have to past a test.  And that would require you to be smart enough to actually read beyond a fourth grade level.

Race baiting doesn't require a degree?! He sure likes to show up and stir up crowds acting like he knows law all the time...

[timberfaller]

Don't look now, coming to the NFL nearest to you!!!

I hear the NFL "created" a position for him to fill 

Birds of a feather flock together,  THE NFL has a dismal record when it comes the the 2A!!

So in a way it will be a perfect fit for them!!!

You all just keep supporting the NFL,  football is that important, I guess

[Netminder01]

I think I'm more worried about who Obama will nominate in his place... scary.

[Bob33]

Hmmm. Sniff, sniff - do I smell something?

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/03/fast_and_furious_coverup_rewarded_in_appointment_of_new_atf_director.html

On Friday, March 20, 2015, B. Todd Jones, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF,) announced his resignation. Mr. Jones's departure comes on the heels of the disastrous attempt by the ATF to ban a common rifle ammunition, yet another federal sub rosa effort at gun control through governmental constriction of the ammunition supply. The real news is Mr. Jones's replacement, although you would not know that from any mainstream reporting.

The announced new Acting Director is the current Deputy Director, Thomas Brandon, a man with an apparently secret history at the ATF. In news dispatches of March 20th, Mr. Brandon is described blandly by the AP, CNN and ABC as a 26-year veteran at the agency who was appointed Deputy Director in 2011. This gives the impression of an earnest, knowledgeable, hard working civil servant, does it not?

Perhaps all of the professional reporters are too pressed for time these days to perform a basic Google search. Or, perhaps not a single so-called journalist has the brain capacity to remember a shameful, deadly national disaster called Fast and Furious. In that government-operated illegal gun running scheme, thousands of guns were allowed to be straw purchased in the U.S. and transported to Mexico for sale to drug cartels so the Feds could track them. Rather than tracking the guns, however, the Feds lost them. That gross incompetence cost the lives of U.S. Border Agent Brian Terry, I.C.E. Agent Jaime Zapata and an untold number of Mexicans who were murdered with those unlawfully trafficked firearms.

For those of us who do not live in the memory hole that shields this administration from any accountability, here are some relevant facts about Acting Director Brandon and his involvement in the Fast and Furious cover-up.
According to outgoing Director Jones's sworn testimony of April 2, 2014 before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr. Brandon was the person who determined disciplinary punishments for all of the ATF personnel involved in Fast and Furious. Brandon was "the ultimate decision maker." Director Jones confirmed that Thomas Brandon did not fire a single person for participation in Fast and Furious.

The 471 page Justice Department Inspector General Report by Michael E. Horowitz recommended disciplinary action be considered for 14 federal officials. Let's examine what happened to just a few key ATF players. Special Agent William Newell was the Agent in Charge of Fast and Furious. The IG Report specifically recommended his termination. Per an August 17, 2011 ATF press release, Mr. Newell was initially reassigned to the Office of Management "to assist with the OIG investigation and congressional inquiry."

Director Jones confirmed in his testimony on April 2nd that although the ATF Professional Review Board (PRB) also recommended Newell's firing, Mr. Brandon saw fit to impose a far lighter penalty. Mr. Newell was only demoted from Senior Executive Service to a GS 13 grade pursuant to a settlement. Director Jones also confirmed during testimony that the PRB recommended a 14-day suspension for Lead Case Agent Hope MacAllister. Deputy Director Brandon issued her only a letter of reprimand. David Voth was the Phoenix Group Supervisor during Fast and Furious. Per the August 17, 2011 ATF press release, Mr. Voth was transferred laterally to ATF Headquarters in 2011. The PRB recommended demotion to a non-supervisorial Special Agent status. In settlement, Mr. Brandon issued a simple demotion.

According to a March 28, 2014 letter to Director Jones from Senator Charles Grassley and Congressman Darrell Issa, it appeared that all three of these Fast and Furious alumni were still on the ATF payroll. Through Director Jones's testimony, we now know that Mr. Newell retired at some point and at his higher pay rate of the Senior Executive Service. As the Director did not dispute the congressional presumption that Agents MacAllister and Voth remained employed, we are left to assume that they are still working for the ATF.

This easily researched history reveals Brandon's key role in keeping the truth of Fast and Furious hidden from Congress and the public. Had heads rolled, angry ex-employees might have turned whistle-blower and implicated higher-ups at DOJ and even the White House. The game of mutual extortion; employee silence in exchange for job security, achieved its purpose.

Bear in mind that Brandon's efforts were only a part, albeit a critical one, of a larger information black-out strategy. The suppression of information was further assured by Obama's assertion in 2012 of executive privilege to shield from disclosure Fast and Furious documents Congress sought. Eric Holder's stonewalling and misrepresentations to Congress provided the third prong of the cover-up. For his role in information suppression, Mr. Holder received a civil contempt citation from the House.

Brandon's team player credentials, earned by keeping ATF silence, explain his continued value to the administration. Although out of the media spotlight, of course, the facts of Fast and Furious and the ensuing cover-up continue to be probed by a determined few.

Judicial Watch has multiple Freedom of Information Act suits pending against the DOJ and the ATF. Eric Holder's intention to resign was announced in striking proximity to a federal court ruling in one of those actions which compelled the DOJ to release certain information regarding Fast and Furious. For this victory, Judicial Watch was treated to an election eve document dump from DOJ on 11/04/14.

In addition to the Judicial Watch suits, the House filed a lawsuit for judicial enforcement of congressional subpoenas issued to and ignored by DOJ, during the Fast and Furious oversight investigation (Oversight Committee v. Holder.) So far, the Federal District Court Judge has compelled the obstructionist DOJ to prepare an "executive privilege log" of the documents it is withholding. The ruling is another significant step in forced extraction of information sequestered by administration fiat.

So, now that you know a few facts about Mr. Brandon, his elevation to Acting Director makes complete sense. This most deadly and despicable of scandals is still simmering. Thomas Brandon was just handed the ATF Directorship to keep the lid on that pot for the next two years.

[pianoman9701]

The most transparent administration in our nation's history. 

[JimmyHoffa]

The most transparent administration in our nation's history. 

The actually set a record in 2014 for most censorship.  Shocked?  Me too!

[pianoman9701]

The director of the ATF is appointed by the President and confirmed by Senate. I wonder how much our two illustrious Senators will buck this appointment.

[Special T]

Good Find Bob33