Attorney General Eric Holder says he wishes he could have a do-over after calling Fox News reporter James Rosen a "co-conspirator" in a leak investigation in 2010.
Appearing at the Washington Ideas Forum on Wednesday, Holder was asked by moderator Jonathan Capehart what decision he most wished he could do over again.
"I think about the subpoena to the Fox reporter, Rosen," Holder answered. "I think that I could've been a little more careful looking at the language that was contained in the filing that we made with the court. He was labeled as a co-conspirator. You had to do that as a result of the statute, but there are ways in which, I think, that could have been differently, done better."
The case refers to leaks of classified documents on North Korea to Rosen. Holder personally approved a warrant for a search of Rosen's emails,
NBC News reported. Just last June, Holder called the investigation of Rosen "appropriate."
Rosen was unimpressed with Holder's latest statement, telling
TV Newser that "the attorney general's latest comments about my case, like his previous remarks, scarcely address the relevant facts of his conduct."
Holder, who has announced he is retiring as soon as a replacement is confirmed, said what many have thought all along: that President Barack Obama will wait to announce a nominee until right after the midterm elections next week.
"I think there will be a nomination shortly after the election," Holder said, adding that he hopes to see his replacement in office by early February.