NPR reports, "Eric Holder To Step Down As Attorney General," by Carrie Johnson.
Eric Holder Jr., the nation's first black U.S. attorney general, is preparing to announce his resignation Thursday 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.
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. A former U.S. government official says Holder has been increasingly "adamant" about his desire to leave soon for fear that he otherwise could be locked in to stay for much of the rest of President Obama's second term.
"White House: Holder resigning as Attorney General," is the AP coverage filed by Nedra Pickler and Jim Kuhnhenn.
The White House said that President Barack Obama would announce Holder's departure later Thursday and that Holder planned to remain at the Justice Department until his successor was in place. White House officials said Obama had not made a final decision on a replacement for Holder, who was one of the most progressive voices in his Cabinet.
Advisers to Obama and Holder said the attorney general had been planning his departure with the president for some time. Some possible candidates who have been discussed among administration officials include Solicitor General Don Verrilli, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Deputy U.S. Attorney General James Cole and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a former Rhode Island attorney general.
"Eric Holder to Announce Resignation, Officials Say," is the National Law Journal post bBy Mike Scarcella of Legal Times.
Holder has long said he did not intend to serve the entirety of President Barack Obama's second term in the White House. Holder in 2012 said "it's been an interesting and tough four years" and that he would ask himself "Do I think that there are things that I still want to do. Do I have gas left in the tank?" NPR first reported the news of Holder's resignation.
Holder said he intends to remain at his post until a successor is named, according to published reports. NPR said Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. could be picked to replace Holder, who joined the Justice Department from Covington & Burling. The Justice Department in July published a long list of accomplishments under Holder's leadership.
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