President-elect Barack Obama today announced his decision to nominate Eric Holder to be Attorney General in the new administration. People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement:

“After so many years of scandal and mismanagement at the Justice Department, we’re happy to see Eric Holder nominated for the top job. Mr. Holder has a first rate legal mind, and he’s shown a commitment to putting the law ahead of politics or partisanship.

“The Department of Justice should be a vigorous advocate of the rule of law. Under the Bush administration, it has been used as an ideological bludgeon. It’s going to take a great deal of work to restore the credibility and authority of the Department of Justice, especially the civil rights division. Eric Holder is a solid choice for the job.”

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