Eric Holder

Eric Himpton Holder Jr., born on January 21, 1951, is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney General from 2009 to 2015 and briefly held the position in an acting capacity in 2001. He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate for his full term. Prior to that role, Holder had a long career within the Department of Justice, including service as U.S. Deputy Attorney General under President Bill Clinton.

Early life and career

Holder entered the world in New York City’s Bronx borough, the son of parents who traced their ancestry to Barbados. His father emigrated from Saint Joseph, while his mother was born in New Jersey; both families had roots in Saint Philip on the island. Growing up in East Elmhurst, Queens, he attended public schools until age ten before entering Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. While a freshman at Columbia University in 1969, Holder participated in an occupation of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps office that was renamed the Malcolm X student center; during this period he was active in the Student Afro‑American Society and had connections to Students for a Democratic Society.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Columbia College in 1973, Holder pursued legal studies at Columbia Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1976. His first summer internship was with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; the following summer he worked for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.

Upon completing law school, Holder joined the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, where he remained from 1976 to 1988. In that capacity he assisted in prosecuting cases involving government corruption, including the bribery charges against Congressman John Jenrette uncovered during the Abscam sting operation. His performance led to a judicial appointment: President Ronald Reagan named him a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in 1988.

Holder left the bench in 1993 after President Bill Clinton appointed him as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, making him the first Black American to hold that office. During his tenure he oversaw the conclusion of the corruption case against Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, which was part of a broader congressional post‑office scandal. In 1997 he was elevated to U.S. Deputy Attorney General, again becoming the first African American in that position. His responsibilities included budget and personnel matters for the Department of Justice, resolving interdepartmental disputes, briefing the press on policy initiatives, and overseeing major investigations such as those into alleged bribery at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Cabinet tenure

Holder’s service as acting Attorney General in 2001 was brief; he filled a temporary vacancy before the appointment of a permanent successor. In 2009, after President Obama announced his intent to nominate Holder for the position, the Senate confirmed him by a unanimous vote. As the 82nd United States Attorney General, Holder presided over the Department of Justice during a period marked by significant investigations into federal law enforcement conduct and corruption.

During his tenure he was involved in the investigation of the Operation Fast and Furious ATF gun‑walking scandal. In that context, he became the first sitting attorney general to be held in contempt of Congress; an inspector general review later cleared him of the charges. Holder’s role also included overseeing the Department’s response to various high‑profile cases involving government officials and ensuring compliance with federal statutes.

Beyond his day‑to‑day duties, Holder had a close working relationship with President Obama. He served as a senior legal advisor during the 2008 presidential campaign and was one of three members of the vice‑presidential selection committee that chose the president’s running mate. His appointment as attorney general reflected the trust placed in him by the administration.

Holder stepped down from the office in April 2015, when President Obama nominated Loretta Lynch to succeed him. After leaving government service, Holder returned to private practice at Covington & Burling, where he continues to work primarily on corporate litigation for financial firms.

Legacy

Eric Holder’s career has been marked by a series of firsts and by his long‑standing commitment to public service. As the first African American to hold both the positions of U.S. Deputy Attorney General and United States Attorney General, he paved the way for greater diversity within federal law enforcement leadership. His tenure was characterized by oversight of major investigations into corruption and misconduct at various levels of government.

In addition to his work in the Department of Justice, Holder has remained active in legal circles after leaving public office. He practices corporate litigation with Covington & Burling and participates in reform efforts related to electoral districting through the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. His involvement in these areas reflects a continued interest in ensuring fairness and integrity within both the judicial system and the broader democratic process.

Overall, Holder’s service illustrates a career devoted to upholding federal law, addressing corruption, and contributing to the evolution of the Department of Justice during a period of significant challenges and change.