Carney: ‘Absolutely’ no cover-up in executive privilege claim

White House press secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday that there is “absolutely” no White House cover-up when it comes to Department of Justice documents sought in the House investigation of the "Fast and Furious" controversy.

During a briefing with reporters, Carney maintained that Obama's use of executive privilege on Wednesday was based on principle.

“This is entirely about principle,” Carney said. “We have been absolutely clear about the fact that this operation used a tactic that originated in a field office, that was flawed, that was wrong and had terrible consequences ... and should not have been employed.”

But during the briefing, Carney maintained that the White House has cooperated with congressional investigators saying, lawmakers have “been provided an enormous number of documents” and that Attorney General Eric Holder has testified on Capitol Hill eight times.

“This has gone on for months and months and months,” he said. “The assertion of privilege has to do with the absolute necessity of retaining the executive branch's independence.”

Asked if he can categorically say there was no cover-up involved, Carney responded, “absolutely.”

Carney reiterated on Thursday that the matter being pushed by Republicans is purely political.

“What this is about after all this time ... is an attempt to score political points,” Carney said, adding, “it's a flawed attempt.”

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