LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Since the release of these documents are a federal crime; the main question is if the Justice Department will seek to prosecute the so-called "whistleblower."

Issa had previously asked the department for the documents, such as wiretap applications used in the botched federal gun-tracking called "Operation Fast and Furious" for several months. Issa has taken preliminary steps to move contempt-of-Congress citations against Holder. It's not yet known if GOP leaders support that move. The attendant controversy could help Issa attract more Republican support for a contempt-of-Congress resolution.

If Holder proceeds with an investigation into where the leak originated, he could depict the move as an attempt by the department to hide the documents' contents. It also raises the possibility that the department's investigators will seek information from Issa, who has long tried to find out who approved the "gun-walking" tactics used in Fast and Furious along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Not pursuing an investigation would tacitly ignore a criminal breach, possibly leading Issa's source and others to reveal other information sealed by a judge.

"We're not going to make our whistleblower available. That's been one of the most sensitive areas, because some of the early whistleblowers are already feeling retribution. They're being treated horribly," Issa told Fox News.

Queried where Issa got the wiretap applications, he told The Hill, "You can ask, but you should have no expectation of an answer. By the way, if I asked you where you got yours, would you give me your sources?"

In retaliation, the Obama administration could point out that he is stonewalling federal authorities after complaining throughout this Congress of being stonewalled by the department of Justice.

As the lead congressional investigator of Fast and Furious, Issa says the documents show top-ranking DOJ officials signing off on the condemned "gun-walking" tactics used in the failed operation.

The documents have not yet been made public. Issa has apparently broken no laws by being given the information.

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