I'm not going to let people who work in the United States Department of Justice have their characters be assailed without any basis.

There's a certain level of vehemence, it seems to me, that's directed at me [and] directed at the president. You know, people talking about taking their country back. There's a certain racial component to this for some people. I don't think this is the thing that is a main driver, but for some there's a racial animus.

To those in the executive branch who say ‘just trust us’ when it comes to secret and warrantless surveillance of domestic communications, I say, ‘Remember your history.’

Operation Fast and Furious was flawed in concept and flawed in execution. The tactics used in this operation violate Department of Justice policy and should never have been used.

The American people can be - and deserve to be - assured that actions taken in their defense are consistent with their values and their laws.

I'll leave here with my head held high and with confidence that history will judge my time here.

I'm not going to let people who work in the United States Department of Justice have their characters be assailed without any basis.