US President Barack Obama nominates Loretta Lynch as Attorney General

US President Barack Obama chooses Brooklyn Prosecutor Loretta Lynch for Attorney General as she prepares to become the first African-American woman to hold the position

A statement released by the White House Press Secretary on the Attorney General Nomination said that President Obama will make the announcement in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, and will be joined by Attorney General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch

Loretta Lynch(55) the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, would be the first African-American woman to hold the job if confirmed by the Senate

'Ms. Lynch is a strong, independent prosecutor who has twice led one of the most important U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country,' says a White House Press Statement.

'She will succeed Eric Holder, whose tenure has been marked by historic gains in the areas of criminal justice reform and civil rights enforcement,' concludes the statement.

Eric Holder, one of  US President Barack Obama's closest allies, had a rocky tenure as attorney general. He clashed frequently with congressional Republicans over gun control, same-sex marriage, and a desire to try terrorism suspects in civilian instead of military courts.