Utah Republican Orrin Hatch became at least the fifth senator to call for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation as lawmakers step up criticism of his handling of probes into a federal gun investigation and leaks of classified information.
Hatch, who said Holder “ought to retire” during a radio interview today on the “Mike Huckabee Show,” is the second Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee to say Holder should step aside. John Cornyn of Texas did so as Holder testified before the panel yesterday.
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“He’s basically a nice man, but, by gosh, he’s been so partisan in that job that I’m very concerned about him and tend to support Senator Cornyn and others who think he ought to retire,” Hatch said, according to a transcript from the syndicated radio program provided by his office.
Holder told lawmakers yesterday that he acted appropriately and doesn’t have “any intention of resigning.”
Dozens of House Republicans have called for Holder to quit and 115 have signed a “no-confidence” resolution.
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