House Republican: Holder leaves ‘legacy of lawlessness’

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) on Thursday argued that outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder’s legacy heading the Justice Department was tainted by controversy.

Many other Republicans took the opportunity to slam Holder’s tenure as soon as news of his resignation broke. Gosar argued such a reaction was a sign of Holder’s divisive and controversial decisions.

{mosads}”It’s a sad day when America rejoices about the news that the Attorney General of the United States is set to resign,” Gosar said. “His place in history will be marked by shameful violations of the rule of law and despicable circumvention of the Constitution.”

“From the death of Brian Terry in the Fast and Furious gun running operation, to spying on journalist James Rosen, to tapping the phone records of the Associated Press, and most recently the unconstitutional Bergdahl prisoner exchange as well as the IRS scandal, there is no question that Eric Holder leaves behind a legacy of lawlessness, incompetence and hyper partisanship,” Gosar added.

The Arizona Republican urged President Obama to nominate a new attorney general who is not a “partisan hack.”

“The American people and U.S. Senate must ensure his replacement is a strict constitutionalist and not a partisan hack,” Gosar said.

Reaction to Holder’s announcement fell along party lines. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) praised Holder’s decisions regarding same-sex marriage and voting rights.

“The resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder is a great loss for our country,” Moore said. “As the first African-American to serve as Attorney General, his honorable legacy of justice is nothing less than historic.”