Eric Holder

Unless we take that fundamental look, we are going to have a prison system that impedes our ability to do the kinds of things the American people expect.

I will say that we have been very aggressive in enforcing the anti-kickback laws and recovered, you know, record amounts of money over the last few years.

We have to dispel that myth.

I do not think that there is a basis for us to conclude on the information as it presently exists that there is any reason for the appointment of an independent counsel.

I share the concerns that you have about whistleblowers.

The recidivism rate is tiny compared to what other people go through, and so we save money by not incarcerating people unnecessarily.

The concern you raise is a legitimate one, and we have to have in place the mechanisms so that we know that the money that is given to grantees is being used in an appropriate way.

I mean, there have been some compliance issues that have been identified by the courts or by the Justice Department.

I think we have to understand that, if used appropriately, they can serve a useful purpose.

Our ability to help our State and local partners with regard to grants is impacted.

We also have a United States Attorney in Iowa who needs to be confirmed.

Yes, well, the memos--but the memos will contain all of the arguments with a conclusory couple of pages, or whatever.

to the extent that he makes use of this authority at all, because as I said, his primary inclination and desire is to work with Congress to pass necessary legislation that I think all the American people want to see happen.

congressional restrictions that were placed on us thwarted our attempts to close Guantanamo in a more timely fashion.

the vast majority of the American people still want those commonsense gun safety measures that we advanced last year.

I think that that was a very thoughtful and potentially very consequential piece of legislation.

We will be announcing that by the deadline.

we will look at them and that will help shape our enforcement efforts.

I have confidence in the career people at the FBI and the other investigative agencies to conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation, and that is what I would expect of them.

Just because we can do something, should we do it?

This is a top priority for the Justice Department. It is a top priority for me as well.

the IRS' targeting of conservative citizens groups was 'outrageous and unacceptable.'

I think has to be guarded almost at all costs.

I do not want to repeat the words 'really soon'... so I will say that they are forthcoming.

The concern you raise is a fair one. That is a fair one. And as I said, we will have to do better.