Holder resignation sparks partisan reaction
Congressional reaction to the resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder was deeply partisan Thursday.
Democrats were, not surprisingly, complimentary:
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee: "Attorney General Holder has been an extraordinary leader of the Department of Justice, and is to be congratulated for his service. Under his leadership, the Department has had remarkable success in convicting terrorists and disrupting threats to national security, while upholding the Department's mission of keeping our communities safe from crime and fighting fraud. I particularly appreciate how Attorney General Holder has restored the Civil Rights Division to its historical mission. ... Attorney General Holder has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans with his thoughtful implementation of both the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.''
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.: "I have found Attorney General Holder to be an outstanding public servant with whom I've had the privilege to work with on a number of issues. Among them, he has led the fight to protect the right to vote for all citizens and that includes his recent letter warning Florida's governor against any future efforts there to suppress the vote. And he also has been very supportive of scientists' efforts to unlock the secrets of potential abuse at a now-shuttered reform school in North Florida. The president will miss his counsel."
Sen Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: "Attorney General Eric Holder has been an outstanding leader of the Department of Justice, where he has upheld the very high standards of this storied institution... Eric Holder has advanced key national priorities including successfully prosecuting terrorists in federal criminal court, protecting communities from gangs and gun violence, defending civil and voting rights and ensuring all married couples are treated equally under the law.''
Republicans, however, could not wait to see the back of him.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: "I could not support the President's nomination of Eric Holder in 2009 because of the many questionable decisions he'd made as Deputy Attorney General. Five years later, I'm confident in the wisdom of that decision. Holder has placed ideological commitments over a commitment to the rule of law."
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee: "I welcome the news that Eric Holder will step down as Attorney General. From Operation Fast and Furious to his misleading testimony before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Department's dealings with members of the media and his refusal to appoint a special counsel to investigate the IRS' targeting of conservative groups, Mr. Holder has consistently played partisan politics with many of the important issues facing the Justice Department.''
Sen. David Vitter, R-La.: "I can't think of any A.G, in history who has attacked Louisiana more than Holder. He's tried to defund a Louisiana youth program because students prayed, sued to block voucher scholarships going to poor kids in failing schools, and threatened the release of Louisiana voters' personal information. I'm proud to have voted against his Senate confirmation."
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, member of Senate Judiciary Committee: "Unfortunately the American people, myself included, lost confidence in the Attorney General's ability to lead a long time ago because of his continued willingness to put politics before the law. ... The nation deserves an Attorney General whose loyalty to the justice system will trump loyalty to a political party.''
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. , issued a series of critical tweets:
ButSen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Judiciary Committee, rose above the fray:
The ranking minority member of the committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, also tempered his criticism somewhat: "I voted to confirm Mr. Holder to be Attorney General, and I had high hopes for his leadership. But Attorney General Holder's tenure has been strained by his lack of respect for Congress, the American taxpayer, and the laws on the books ... Rather than rush a nominee through the Senate in a lame duck session, I hope the President will now take his time to nominate a qualified individual who can start fresh relationships with Congress so that we can solve the problems facing our country. I wish Attorney General Holder well in the future."