Some Dems Stand by Holder's Survelliance of Reporters

Amid questions of whether Eric Holder should resign, some Democrats are defending the beleaguered Attorney General by focusing on his responsibility to protect sensitive security information. 

The Hill reports that during a May 31 appearance on MSNBC’s “Jansing & Co.,” Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said Holder should not resign because he “has not in any way broken the law.” He then emphasized the delicate balance the administration has to strike between freedom and defending freedom:

The White House, the executive branch, all of us, have an obligation to make sure that important and sensitive national security information that can put lives at risk is not leaked, and we can do that, I think consistent with the very important First Amendment right and the rights of the press.

Appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” David Axelrod agreed that Holder didn’t need to resign. He said the AG didn’t even need to apologize for his “surveillance of Fox News reporter James Rosen” because it was just part of Holder “carrying out his responsibilities.”