http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/218906-chairman-issa-holder-most-divisive-attorney-general-in-historySeptember 25, 2014, 01:17 pm
Issa: Holder 'abused his office' in 'divisive' tenure
By Cristina Marcos
House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Thursday fired parting shots at Attorney General Eric Holder, saying he "abused his office" during a "divisive" tenure.
Issa, who led the 2012 vote to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress for not providing subpoenaed documents regarding the "Fast and Furious" gun-walking operation, argued Holder's resignation was overdue.
"Eric Holder is the most divisive U.S. Attorney General in modern history and, in a vote supported by 17 Democratic House members, has the dubious historic distinction of being the first Attorney General held in criminal contempt by the U.S. House of Representatives," Issa said in a statement.
Issa said Holder had uniquely damaged the American public's confidence in the justice system, citing the Justice Department's spying on reporters and denial of allegations made in Oversight Committee investigations.
"By needlessly injecting politics into law enforcement, Attorney General Holder's legacy has eroded more confidence in our legal system than any Attorney General before him," Issa said.
"Through strong arming reporters, practically ignoring high level wrongdoing, blocking his own agency Inspector General's access to information, and overseeing a Department that attempted to stonewall Congressional oversight with denials of what is now established fact, Attorney General Holder abused his office and failed to uphold the values of our Constitution," the California Republican added.
President Obama is not expected to announce Holder's replacement Thursday. Holder plans to stay in his position until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, possibly in the lame-duck session after the November elections.
"While President Obama and the Senate should work expeditiously to find a replacement, time and care must be taken to ensure that our next Attorney General recognizes and does not repeat Mr. Holder's mistakes," Issa said.
