Holder defends independence of DOJ investigation into national-security leaks

Attorney General Eric Holder defended the Justice Department’s ability to be independent as it investigates national-security leaks in the face of Republican calls for a special counsel.

AG Holder said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the two US attorneys he appointed will “follow leads wherever they are, whether in the executive branch or other component of government." He also said that Justice Department investigators have interviewed both him and FBI Director Robert Mueller in its probe of national security leaks from the White House. The leaks have centered around a drone target "kill list" and a cyberattack on Iran.