Grassley participated as a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the September 1995 hearings which scrutinized the federal raid on Ruby Ridge, Idaho, during which Iowa native Vicki Weaver was killed in August 1992.
"The incident at Ruby Ridge caused a deep fracture in the public's confidence in federal law enforcement in this country. It was vital that we in government repair the wound by holding accountable those responsible for the unconstitutional shot that killed Vicki Weaver," Grassley said.
In sharp contrast, the prepared statement released today by the DoJ concludes that evidence is not sufficient to support the criminal prosecution of any federal law enforcement officers. According to the statement, a recommendation against criminal prosecution was made after an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, led by Michael R. Stiles, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The recommendation was approved by Attorney General Janet Reno.
"It is essential that Congress do its part to demand accountability for the actions of federal law enforcement agencies by sustaining aggressive and consistent oversight, especially of the FBI," Grassley said. "Congress must remain ever-vigilant and responsive to the public's legitimate concerns so that the public trust in federal law enforcement can be restored."