Eric Holder’s controversial tenure as attorney general
November 2009
The Obama administration pushes to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks, in a civilian court in New York. The administration faces complaints from Republicans and Democrats, who oppose moving terror suspects to U.S. prisons. In 2011, that decision is reversed, and Holder announces a trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
International Committee of the Red Cross PHOTO
December 2011
Holder speaks out against new voter identification laws, saying they systematically disenfranchise elderly, low-income and minority voters.
GETTY PHOTO
June 2012
The House of Representatives holds Holder in contempt of Congress for not turning over documents related to the botched gun-tracking investigation known as Fast and Furious. Several members of Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Bobby Rush, D.-Ill., walk out in protest.
GETTY PHOTO
February 2014
Holder announces plans to issue a directive expanding government recognition of same-sex marriages to all federal courtrooms and prisons and to some federal benefits programs.
REUTERS PHOTO
November 2013
Holder agrees to $13 billion settlement for J.P. Morgan, which routinely overstated the quality of mortgages it was selling to investors. This behavior was one of the primary drivers behind the housing bubble and economic downturn.
REUTERS PHOTO
May 2013
Holder defends Justice Department action against journalists who received leaked classified information. Phone logs and other information were seized from Associated Press reporters.
GETTY PHOTO
Sept. 25
Holder is expected to announce that he is stepping down.
Source: Tribune Newspapers reporting
@ChiTribGraphics
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