Attorney General Eric Holder appeared to choke up as he announced he’d be stepping down from his Cabinet position as soon as a replacement is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Here’s video:
“I come to this moment with very mixed emotions,” said Holder. “Proud of what the men and women of the Department of Justice have accomplished over the last six years, and at the same time, very sad that I will not be a formal part–a formal part–of the great things this department and this president will accomplish over the next two. I want to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity that you gave me to serve and for giving me the greatest honor of my professional life. We have been great colleagues. But the bonds between us are much deeper than that, in good times and in bad, in things personal and things professional, you have been there for me. I’m proud to call you my friend.”
At one point, Holder slipped up and praised the accomplishments of “our administration,” before turning to the president and correcting himself by saying, “your administration.”
Afterward, President Obama was overheard telling Holder, “You got through it.”
“You got through it,” Pres Obama was heard to tell Holder as he finished his emotional statement of thanks to family and staff.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) September 25, 2014
