President Obama: 'It's pretty hard to be more qualified' than Loretta Lynch for Attorney General

"It's pretty hard to be more qualified for the job than Loretta," President Barack Obama said today as he officially nominated federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch for U.S. Attorney General.

Obama praised Lynch's 30-year career spent fighting terrorism, financial fraud, and cyber crime, all while defending civil rights. He added that despite her serious approach to the job, "she might be the only lawyer in America who still has a reputation for being a charming people person."

Lynch, 55, is currently the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn. If confirmed by the Senate, she would become the first African-American woman to serve as Attorney General.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"The Department of Justice is the only cabinet department named for an ideal," Lynch said. "This is actually appropriate, because our work is both aspirational, and grounded in gritty reality."

Lynch credited outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder for his friendship and support, saying that "no one gets to this place, this room, this podium by themselves."