Holder to Resign as Attorney General, Official Says

Attorney General Eric Holder plans to announce Thursday that he will resign after nearly six years, White House and Justice Department officials tell NBC News.

President Barack Obama has not yet decided on a successor, an administration official said, adding that Holder plans to stay on the job until his replacement is confirmed. Holder informed the president "very recently" of his decision to step down.

Obama is expected to speak about Holder's departure Thursday afternoon.

Holder, the first African American to hold the job of attorney general, is among just a handful of cabinet officials who have stayed in their posts since the beginning of Obama's presidency. After his departure, just two - the Department of Agriculture's Tom Vilsack and the Department of Education's Arne Duncan - will remain from Obama's original cabinet.

Holder became a lightning rod for criticism from congressional Republicans, who have pushed for his dismissal over the Fast and Furious gun operation, the IRS targeting scandal, and other high-profile controversies. In 2012, he became the first sitting Cabinet official to be held in contempt of Congress.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

First published September 25 2014, 7:51 AM

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Holder to Resign as Attorney General, Official Says