Obama picks US attorney general
November 8, 2014
US President Barack Obama has chosen Loretta Lynch, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, to replace Eric Holder at the top of the Justice Department.
Obama said he hoped the Senate would confirm the 55-year-old Lynch, who would be a "tough and fair" attorney general.
The White House tweeted:
If confirmed by the Senate, Lynch would become the first African-American woman to serve as the US's top law enforcement officer.
"Ms. Lynch is a strong, independent prosecutor who has twice led one of the most important US attorney's offices in the country," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement on Friday.
As the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Lynch has overseen a number of bank fraud and corruption cases. She was also responsible for the charging of reputed mobster Vincent Asaro and accomplices over the multimillion dollar "Lufthansa Heist" of cash and jewelry from New York's John F. Kennedy airport. The robbery was made famous by its depiction in the Martin Scorsese film "Goodfellas."
'Fair consideration'
It is believed that Holder offered his resignation in part to make it easier for Obama to work with the Senate. While Holder is held in high esteem by many Democrats, he is disliked by a large number of Republicans, some of whom have called him an ideologue.
Holder, who has agreed to stay on in the post until a successor is found, is one of just three original members of the Cabinet who are still in the job they had immediately after Obama took office in 2009. Only three other US attorney generals have served in the post for longer.
On Saturday, President Obama commended Holder on his service to the country:
Initial indications from Republicans who will control the Senate after the start of the year - and who could make things difficult for Obama - seemed promising for Lynch.
"Ms. Lynch will receive fair consideration by the Senate. And her nomination should be considered in the new Congress through regular order," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.
sb/mkg (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)