Why did AG Holder say he would not defend the DOMA bill?

He works for Obama, so Obama obviously ordered it. Is it his job to decide what is unconstitutional and what is not, or is that supposed to be left up to the Federal Courts? Is this an attempt to placate his liberal base, who are not too happy he folded on the tax increase for the "wealthy"?

2011-02-24T10:35:19Z

Bill: So you believe it is up to the law enforcement officer, in this case the AG of the US, to decide if a law is one they want to enforce or not? Do you also believe that it is up to the discression of any law enforcement officer whether a law should be enforced or not, or is this just for the President and his administration?

Bill2011-02-24T10:15:49Z

Favorite Answer

It's within the administration's discretion not to defend a law it believes is unconstitutional. Congress can appoint attorneys to defend it if they so choose. It will be up to judges, and ultimately (probably) the Supreme Court to say whether it is unconstitutional. Several federal judges already struck down key parts of it.

Anonymous2011-02-24T18:27:09Z

He and Obozo just don't like the law. And if they don't like it, why enforce it? No sense in going through the proper route to have it repealed....just don't enforce it. Or better yet, file a lawsuit when a state wants to enforce a federal law that they don't like.

Anonymous2011-02-24T18:15:10Z

holder hasn't enforced immigration laws on the books either.

IceT2011-02-24T18:13:29Z

The DOTUS decided he was for gay marriage and told him not to enforce it!