In Farewell, Obama Praises Holder for Not Defending Defense of Marriage Act

"Under Eric’s watch, this department has relentlessly defended the Voting Rights Act and the right to vote -- pushed back against attempts to undermine that right. He’s challenged discriminatory state immigration laws that not only risked harassment of citizens and legal immigrants, but actually made it harder for law enforcement to do their job. He’s brought a record number of prosecutions for human trafficking and hate crimes, and resolution to legal disputes with Native Americans that had languished for years. 

Several years ago, Eric recommended that our government stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act, because he wants our country to be a place where love is love -- and where same-sex marriage is recognized on the federal level, and same-sex couples can receive the same federal benefits as anybody else.(Applause)   

With Eric Holder as its lawyer, America has become a better country. Which means that saying goodbye is bittersweet. You have done a remarkable job. It’s hard to let you go. I tried to talk him out of it. (Laughter)  But he’s earned a break. And Sharon, and Brooke, and Maya, and Buddy, they’ve waited a pretty long time to get you back."