President Barack Obama will not nominate a replacement for Attorney General Eric Holder until after the Nov. 4 midterm elections.
White House officials say they do not want the nomination to become an issue in the already contentious elections. Senate Democrats, who are fighting to maintain their majority, asked Obama to hold off on the announcement.
Holder announced his resignation Sept. 25, but agreed to stay on until his successor is confirmed.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest at his daily briefing said that administration officials are reviewing candidates. “I anticipate it would take a little bit of time,” he said.
But some Republicans were quick criticize the decision.
“This timing shows, once again, that the President and Democrat Senate leaders are willing to play politics with important policy decisions,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold confirmation hearings on nominee.