No One Forced Him Out: But Republican Congressmen Say Otherwise

LINK:  Eric Holder: No one forced me out

BRIEF SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS:

• Soon after Attorney General Eric Holder (executive branch/federal level) announced his resignation, Republican members of Congress used both traditional and social media to criticize Holder's work as the nation's top prosecuting lawyer.   

• Republican Congressman from Califorina, Rep. Darrel Issa, tweeted: "Eric Holder is the most divisive U.S. Attorney General in modern history."

• However, in typical fashion, Holder responded to his critics stating, "If they couldn't force me out during the first term, with all of the things that they did - all the mistakes they made - they certainly weren't going to do if after what I think has been a relatively good period where we have moved on criminal justice reform, we've initiated the fight for voting rights, we've done a a lot of good things around the issues of LGBT equality."   

• Despite the clear conflict between political parties, Attorney General Holder believes that Democrats and Republicans can come together in the future on issues like criminal justice reform.  

• It is still unclear when exactly Holder will step down and who will take his place.  

CONNECTION TO QUESTIONS:

• This current events article connect to separation of powers because it is clear that members of Congress seek to have an impact on what is done at the Executive level.  
• There is conflict between the Republicans in the House of Representatives and members of Obama's cabinet like Attorney General Holder.  

• It is hard to say which branch has more power here. While representatives in Congress can criticize him in the media, the Attorney General still can set the agenda as the top law enforcement officer.
• However, if Congress can successfully communicate that they forced him to step down, they are exerting a great deal of power. In addition, Congress will have to approve President Obama's next nominee for the position.

OPINION:

I think Holder's resignation is further evidence that Obama's administration is struggling to maintain control. In addition to the midterm effect and the distance that candidates are keeping from the President during this election season, Holder is also moving away from the President.  

QUESTIONS:

1. What impact do you think the tweeting and soundbites of Republicans in Congress has on the effectiveness of the Obama administration?
2. What kind of person will Obama nominate for the position of Attorney General? Will he try to find someone that even Republicans in the Senate can approve of? Is it possible?
3. What issues should the new Attorney General focus on?  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Office of the Attorney General (Department of Justice website)

United States Attorney General (Wikipedia)