Holder to Trump: ‘I had a president I did not have to protect’

Former Attorney General Eric Holder blasted President Trump for saying he “protected” former President Obama during his time in office, saying as attorney general he “had a president I did not have to protect.”

“The difference between me and [Attorney General] Jeff Sessions — I had a president I did not have to protect,” Holder said in an appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

“So, this notion that I am somehow protecting Obama from things that he had done inappropriately or illegally is simply not true,” he continued.

{mosads}In an interview with The New York Times last year, Trump said he could do what he wanted with the Justice Department. He was asked at the time if he would reopen the investigation into former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s email use during her time as secretary of State.

“I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department. But for purposes of hopefully thinking I’m going to be treated fairly, I’ve stayed uninvolved with this particular matter,” he told the Times.

He also asserted during the interview that Holder “protected” Obama during his presidency.

“I don’t want to get into loyalty, but I will tell you that, I will say this: Holder protected President Obama. Totally protected him,” Trump said. 

Holder slammed Trump for the remarks at the time, calling them “wrong” and “dangerous.”

“Trump doesn’t have absolute rights with DOJ. But women and men there have ABSOLUTE duty to follow Constitution and rule of law – not a man,” Holder tweeted in December.

Holder’s remarks come after Trump launched a fresh attack against Sessions this week, calling him “disgraceful.” Trump has frequently criticized his attorney general.