http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/219035-holder-resignation-decision-made-irrespective-of-midtermsSeptember 26, 2014, 03:23 pm
Holder denies timing his resignation for election
By Peter Sullivan
Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday that the timing of his resignation had nothing to do with the midterm elections.
"That decision was made irrespective of the midterms," Holder said in an interview with MSNBC.
The timing of his departure allows President Obama to try to get a replacement confirmed before the new Congress arrives next year, where the Senate could be controlled by Republicans.
The White House hinted on Friday that it would indeed try to get the new attorney general through in the lame-duck session.
"We had accomplished a lot, and I was satisfied with the progress that we've made, and also satisfied with the fact that the things that I think still need to be worked on are in place and on track. It was just time," Holder said. "Talked to the president, talked to people at the White House and the determination we made was that yesterday was a good day to make that announcement."
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who frequently clashed with Holder, on Thursday called the timing politically timed to the elections.
"Announcing before the election ... is a political event like so many things the attorney general has done," Issa said on Fox News.
Holder spoke of his close relationship with Obama when asked about the Justice Department's work on voting rights, which has included challenging voter ID laws, would continue.
"People have to understand something," Holder said. "Barack Obama is still the President of the United States. Alright? He and I share a world view. I did the things that he wanted me to do. We are partners. My departure is not going to have any impact on this administration's commitment to the civil rights issue that has been the life of this president."
He also said the Department of Justice investigation into the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., would be "thorough" and "my departure will not have any impact."
Holder has committed to staying in his position until a replacement is confirmed, and he said he did not know for sure what his next steps will be after leaving.
"I'm not sure. I want to continue the work," he said. "The question is how I do it, what organization I might align myself with, or what organization I might start? But the work will continue."
