Attorney General Eric Holder Is Resigning

WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder is resigning after heading the Justice Department for six years.

President Barack Obama will announce Holder's departure later Thursday, according to a White House official.

"Eric Holder served his country long and well in many different capacities," Sen. Charles Schumer said in a statement. "I was particularly impressed at Attorney General Holder's strong advocacy for voting rights. As nefarious forces tried to turn back the hard-won right to vote, Holder was 'Horatius at the Bridge' in many cases, preventing or slowing down their regressive march to take away people's hard-earned rights."

Holder is the first black attorney general, and his tenure is the fourth longest on the job.

He plans to remain at the Justice Department until his successor is in place.

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