Babeu: Does Washington need a new sheriff?

Dear friends,

It's been just over two weeks since I, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, announced my exploratory committee for Congress. What a two weeks it has been!

First, let me say how humbled I am by your outpouring of support. I've received countless messages from you via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter.

As I've traveled to community events, many of you have taken the time to personally offer your encouragement. All of this means more than you can know.

Your generosity has been enormous. In the first two weeks, we've raised $127,135, more than $120,000 of it usable in the primary election. This is an amazing start, but billionaire George Soros' million-dollar mouthpiece has already attacked me with both guns blazing. If you can help me fight back, please click here and help me keep telling the truths that have Soros and his gang so scared.

I've also heard from some of you who think I should consider re-election as sheriff. I hear you. I love this job and I love Pinal County. I do not love Washington.

But three things have happened this week that make me feel as though the most important fights to us here at home are being waged in Washington.

The first was the success of “Operation Pipeline Express.” Along with our partner agencies, we arrested 76 members of the Sinaloa cartel, ended a $2 billion narcotics ring, and seized 108 weapons.

Two of those weapons were given to the cartels by the Obama administration through “Operation Fast and Furious.“

I couldn't be prouder of the men and women I serve with.

But they along with the American people have been failed time and time again by the politicians in Washington who won't enforce the law, refuse to secure the border, and put up signs in my county warning Americans to stay away because of cartel activity.

The Sinaloa cartel will try to rebuild, and every day we don't secure the border we're making their job easier and the job of law enforcement harder and more dangerous.

The second event was Eric Holder's evasive testimony before Congress. In his last performance, he misled Congress about what he knew about “Fast and Furious” and when he knew it.

Holder refused to apologize to the family of hero Brian Terry, a Border Patrol Agent killed with weapons provided them by his own government.

I had the opportunity to rebut his testimony on FOX News. In case you missed it, you can find it here.

We absolutely need to get to the bottom of “Fast and Furious,” identifying everyone responsible and holding them accountable for what they've done. After his Justice Department sent 2,000 military-style weapons to the most dangerous criminals in North America, the best he can do is call it flawed.