U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced his resignation on Thursday, but said he will stay on until his successor is confirmed.
Our Washington chief correspondent Xiaohong has more.
63-year-old Eric Holder is the country's first black attorney general and one of the three original members of President Barack Obama's cabinet who are still in place.
The President praised the attorney general, a close friend.
"That comes with a big portfolio. From counter-terrorism to civil rights, public corruption to white collar crime, alongside with the incredible men and women of the Department of Justice. Eric has done a superb job."
Holder also expressed his personal gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve in his administration and to lead the Justice Department, calling it the greatest honor of his professional life.
"Work remains to be done. But out list of accomplishment is real."
He highlighted some of the outstanding achievements, including voting rights, LGBT rights, criminal justice system reform and counter-terrorism, to name but a few.
A replacement for the departing attorney general is expected to be named at the end of the year or early next year.
Xiaohong, CRI, Washington DC.
