Eric Holder, 63, is resigning from his position as U.S. Attorney General, a White House official says. Holder made history as the first African-American to be appointed to the position nearly six years ago by President Barack Obama. 
Holder will step down from the Justice Department as soon as his successor is announced, NPR reports. He is one of the longest serving members of Obama's cabinet. 
“As the first African American to serve in this role, Attorney General Holder has presided over the Department of Justice during a time where issues of equal treatment and protection under the law have been widely challenged and debased in our nation," Congressional Black Caucus Chair Marcia L. Fudge said in a statement.
"However, Attorney General Holder has never hesitated to remind us that the pursuit of justice is a fundamental right and integral to the survival of our democracy," she continues. 
Most recently, Holder has been in the public eye as he launched investigations into the Ferguson, Mo., police department following the shooting death of Michael Brown. Recently, the Justice department also launched federal investigations into racial bias in law enforcement nationally. 
Prior to serving as Attorney General, Holder was appointed to various positions by the three previous presidents. President Ronald Reagan appointed Holder as Associate Judge of Superior Court of D.C.; President Clinton appointed him as the U.S. Attorney for D.C. and Deputy Attorney General; and President George W. Bush appointed him as the Acting Attorney General.
In 2007, Holder joined Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign as his senior legal adviser.
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