Former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder warned the 2020 Democratic presidential field that they were causing harm by going after former President Barack Obama’s immigration record.
“That might result in some short-term attention, but I think it does long-term harm,” Holder told the Wall Street Journal Friday about 2020 Democrats pointing out mistakes made during Obama’s presidency regarding immigration.
Holder, 68, admitted Obama had made some mistakes but that “mistakes happen.” He added that Obama corrected his mistakes, unlike President Trump’s administration.
Democratic presidential contenders have taken aim at Obama’s immigration record, particularly the high number of deportations that occurred under his administration.
During the July Democratic debate, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sen. Cory Booker excoriated Joe Biden over the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants during the Obama administration. Many of the candidates have also called for decriminalizing illegal border crossings.
In July, Holder also warned Democratic candidates of going after Obama.
“To my fellow Democrats. Be wary of attacking the Obama record,” he said on Twitter. “Build on it. Expand it. But there is little to be gained – for you or the party – by attacking a very successful and still popular Democratic President.”
To my fellow Democrats. Be wary of attacking the Obama record. Build on it. Expand it. But there is little to be gained – for you or the party – by attacking a very successful and still popular Democratic President.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) August 1, 2019
