why did eric holder leave the attorney general post

What happened to Attorney General Eric Holder?

Dec 20, 2015 · Attorney General Eric Holder is resigning from the Obama administration, capping a tumultuous six-year term marked by several high-profile clashes with Congress. President Obama formally announced...

How old is Eric Holder?

Sep 25, 2014 · Holder has “agreed to remain in his post until the confirmation of his successor,” a top Justice Department aide said, as an insurance …

What did Eric Holder say when he said goodbye?

Sep 25, 2014 · While his drug reform efforts did earn him some praise from Republicans, many members of the GOP took Holder's exit as an opportunity to criticize the outgoing attorney general. Advertisement “Eric Holder is the most divisive U.S. Attorney General in modern history,’’ Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a frequent Holder antagonist, said in a statement .

What are Eric Holder's most disputed moves?

Sep 25, 2014 · Eric Holder Jr., the nation's first black U.S. attorney general, will resign his post after a tumultuous tenure marked by civil rights advances, national security threats, reforms to …

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Sep 25, 2014 · After serving six years as U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder is planning to resign. From NPR : Two sources familiar with the decision tell NPR that Holder, 63, intends to leave the Justice Department as soon as his successor is confirmed, a process that could run through 2014 and even into next year.

Who is Donald Verrilli?

Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, Jr. is a favorite of Obama’s, and a person valued as a team player inside the West Wing—not as widely known but someone who might have an inside track, thanks to Obama’s penchant for picking trusted insiders over high-profile outsiders.

Who is Kamala Harris?

In recent days the president’s team has also taken a close look at California Attorney General Kamala Harris, an African-American woman who would likely pursue the same civil rights agenda championed by Holder—but may opt to stay in her state to pursue gubernatorial ambitions.

What did Obama say about Holder?

In an emotional ceremony at the White House on Thursday, President Obama said that saying goodbye to Holder was "bittersweet. ". He described the attorney general as having a "deep, abiding commitment to equal justice under the law," and to taking steps that further guarantee everyone's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Who was the first black attorney general?

Eric Holder Jr., the nation's first black U.S. attorney general, will resign his post after a tumultuous tenure marked by civil rights advances, national security threats, reforms to the criminal justice system and 5 1/2 years of fights with Republicans in Congress.

How many Democrats voted against Holder?

When put to a vote in the house, Holder contempt charge was upheld by a vote of 255-67. In total, 17 Democrats voted against Holder.

What was the purpose of Operation Fast and Furious?

The purpose of the plan was to allow guns be freely sold along southern border states, in the hopes of tracking them to Mexican drug cartels. The plan was a disaster with CNN estimating 1,400 guns were lost in Mexico. Guns sold during the operation were found at the scene of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry’s murder in Arizona in 2010.

When did Eric Holder step down?

Holder stepped down from the bench in 1993 to accept an appointment as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from President Bill Clinton. He was the first Black American U.S. Attorney in that office.

What did Eric Holder do after he graduated from Columbia Law School?

After graduating from Columbia Law School, Holder joined the U.S. Justice Department 's new Public Integrity Section, where he worked from 1976 to 1988. During his time there, he assisted in the prosecution of Democratic Congressman John Jenrette for bribery discovered in the Abscam sting operation. In 1988, Ronald Reagan appointed Holder to serve as a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

How many leak cases did Holder have?

Under Holder's leadership, the Department of Justice brought six leak-related prosecutions against current or former U.S. government employees, while all previous Presidential administrations combined had tried a total of three such cases. Holder was reportedly "surprised" by news reports pointing out this statistic, and was said to have told associates that he did not wish to have leak prosecutions be his legacy. Several prominent leak prosecutions under Holder involved communications between criminal defendants and journalists, and the pervasive use of traceable electronic communications between journalists and their sources provided the prosecution with a tool to determine the potential origin of published information. Under Holder, the Justice Department argued that journalists had no legal protection to maintain the confidentiality of their sources, and can be compelled by the government to reveal them, or potentially face criminal contempt charges. On September 17, 2018, the Freedom of the Press Foundation obtained documents regarding the use of FISA courts to spy on journalists.

Where was Eric Holder born?

Early life and education. Eric Himpton Holder Jr. was born in The Bronx, New York, to parents with roots in Barbados. Holder's father, Eric Himpton Holder Sr. (October 29, 1903 – February 12, 1998), was born in Saint Joseph, Barbados, and arrived in the United States at the age of 11. He later became a real estate broker.

Who was the Republican who sent the letter to the Attorney General?

In May 2011, House Oversight Committee chairman, California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa and Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley sent Attorney General Holder a letter requesting details about Operation Fast and Furious, which had been a failed federal firearms sting operation that allegedly allowed some 2,000 weapons to reach Mexican drug gangs. Grassley and Issa urged Holder to cooperate and turn over subpoenaed records that would reveal the scope of the alleged government coverup.

What did Holder say about the African Union?

would continue to support the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Holder also vowed to work closer with African officials to stop terrorism, and announced that the FBI would be providing a team of forensic specialists to help assist in the investigation of the terrorist bombings in Kampala during the World Cup.

Who is Malone's sister?

Malone's sister was Vivian Malone Jones, famous for her part in the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door, which led to integration at the University of Alabama. Holder has been involved with various mentoring programs for inner-city youth. He is also an avid basketball fan and the uncle of former NBA All-Star Jeff Malone.