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TIME Politics Justice Department President Obama Gives Teary Send Off to Attorney General Holder Attorney General Eric Holder's official portait Image Courtesy of the Department of Justice Notes Attorney General Eric Holder's stance on civil rights in his parting address

The President got misty-eyed during the unveiling of Attorney General Eric Holders official portrait Friday when he shared a story about the impact he believes Holder has had outside of the Department of Justice.

President Obama said he hosted a number of young men who are mentees under his My Brother Keeper initiative, which is celebrating its first anniversary, for a White House lunch on Friday. As the students, all black and Latino young men from the around the Washington area, went around the table sharing their life aspirations, one shared that he wanted to be the attorney general when he grew up. That moment clearly touched the President, who wiped away tears as he shared it with the departing Attorney General.

I think about all the young people out there who have seen you work and have been able to get an innate sense that youre a good man, President Obama said. Having good men in positions of power and authority who are willing to fight for whats right thats a rare thing. Thats a powerful thing.

Obama listed the Attorney Generals accomplishments as the third longest-serving and the first African American to hold the job. Throughout his tenure Holder made criminal justice reform and championing civil rights a priority of the department, including his recent efforts to challenge strict voting laws.

During his prepared remarks, a teary-eyed Holder said that there was still work to be done on civil rights and criminal justice reform.

Make no mistake. We still have unfinished business and work to do, Holder said. In the defense of our nation we must always adhere to the values that define us. And, at all costs, the right to vote must be protected.

The unveiling came just days after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve the nomination of Loretta Lynch, who was tapped to replace Holder. The President said the Department of Justice is being left in outstanding hands.

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President Obama Gives Teary Send Off to Attorney General Holder

Holder would not confirm in an interview with CNN's Justice correspondent Pamela Brown the suspected terrorist's identity or reveal whether the U.S. government knows where "Jihadi John" is -- but he insisted America will not relent in bringing to justice the man seen in ISIS videos showing the beheadings of U.S. hostages and other Westerners.

READ: ISIS militant 'Jihadi John' identified

"Whether it's through the use of our military or the use of our law enforcement capacity, if you harm Americans it is the sworn duty of every person in the executive branch to find you and hold you accountable, and we will do that," he said.

Holder, who will be leaving his post in the coming weeks, sat down for an interview with CNN at the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters Thursday in Washington D.C.

Brown pressed Holder asking, "Do you think we would go as far as to send U.S. troops to find Jihadi John and hunt him down?"

"I wouldn't put anything off the table," Holder said.

The attorney general also admitted the threat of a lone wolf attack inside the United States keeps him awake at night.

In light of a recent video urging attacks on shopping malls in the U.S. and other countries, Holder said malls should increase security to help prevent such attacks.

The video released last weekend by extremist group al-Shabaab, a group designated by the US government as a terrorist organization. The video pecifically named the Mall of America in Minnesota and appeared to be designed to inspire terrorist attacks similar to the one on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, two years ago in which 60 people were killed after a four-day standoff.

"I certainly think we have to step up our sensitivities to what goes on in these commercial enterprises," Holder said. "I think it would be the responsible thing for operators of these malls to increase their capabilities when it comes to keeping people safe who are just going about their everyday lives."

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Eric Holder: I'm worried about lone wolf attacks

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Eric Holders days as attorney general are numbered. And in an interview with ABC News Pierre Thomas, he reflected on his six years leading a department that he first started working for at the age of 25, as a lawyer fresh out of Columbia Law School.

Leaving the department is bittersweet ... in the truest sense of the word, Holder said, adding theres some satisfaction in being the nations first African-American attorney general.

I am aware of the historical significance of my appointment, Holder conceded. I am hoping that I've done a job that would make proud the people who made it possible; the people who sacrificed, the people who struggled, the people who dreamed, the people who gave their lives. I owe a special something to them.

Nevertheless, Holder, 64, has had his ups and downs, and his share of controversies. Heres how he described to ABC News some particular moments of his tenure:

Jack Date/ABC News

PHOTO: Pierre Thomas speaks with Attorney General Eric Holder in London on Friday, July 11th, 2014.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

On Air Force One, former President Bush shows photos to First Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Valerie Jarrett, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice, Attorney General Eric Holder and former First Lady Laura Bush.

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What It's Really Like to Be the US Attorney General

I think that Congress ultimately has to do that (reclassify marijuana). This is a topic that ultimately, I think ought to be engaged in by our nation, informed by the experiences that we see in Colorado, in Washington. There is, I think, a legitimate debate to be had on both sides of that question where marijuana ought to be in terms of its scheduling.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, National Press Club speech, Feb. 17, 2015

I am concerned, however, about your comments regarding the classification of marijuana As you know, you already have the statutory authority to reclassify marijuana.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), letterto Holder in response, Feb. 18, 2015

Holder was asked this questionat the National Press Club event about marijuana: Under the Controlled Substances Act, the administration has the power to reclassify marijuana with no further congressional action needed. Do you think that is something that the president should consider in the next couple years?

Legalization advocates pushed back to Holders answer after the event, especially after Cohen, a longtime advocate of rescheduling marijuana, sent his letter in response. Some advocates took to social media to criticize Holder for denying he has authority. They encouraged one another on Facebook and Twitter to flood Holders office with calls challenging his statement. They made another push asking him to reclassify marijuana, noting that President Obama has said that he does not believe marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol.

Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, meaning it is classified as the most harmful category of drugs, with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Advocates believe that if marijuana is taken out of that classification, it would clear the path for more research into the effects of marijuana and ultimately lead to legalization and regulation nationwide.

While Holders statement was an opinion, and something that cant easily be fact-checked, it is important to explore it, as well asCohens response. As more states look toward legalizing recreational marijuana, advocates are pushing back stronger on statements such as Holders. Twenty-three states have legalized medical marijuana. Alaska recentlybecame the third state to legalize marijuana, and D.C.s recreational marijuana law is set to take effect Feb. 26.

Can the attorney general change the drug classification of marijuana? What are underlying policy issues that lead to questions over exactly what authority he has?

Under federal law, the attorney general can move to add, reschedule or remove drugs on his own, at the request of the health and human services secretary or in response to a public petition. But the law also requires the attorney general to gather data and scientific and medical evaluation from the HHS secretary before doing so.

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Can Eric Holder change the federal drug classification of ...

I think that Congress ultimately has to do that (reclassify marijuana). This is a topic that ultimately, I think ought to be engaged in by our nation, informed by the experiences that we see in Colorado, in Washington. There is, I think, a legitimate debate to be had on both sides of that question where marijuana ought to be in terms of its scheduling.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, National Press Club speech, Feb. 17, 2015

I am concerned, however, about your comments regarding the classification of marijuana As you know, you already have the statutory authority to reclassify marijuana.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), letterto Holder in response, Feb. 18, 2015

Holder was asked this questionat the National Press Club event about marijuana: Under the Controlled Substances Act, the administration has the power to reclassify marijuana with no further congressional action needed. Do you think that is something that the president should consider in the next couple years?

Legalization advocates pushed back to Holders answer after the event, especially after Cohen, a longtime advocate of rescheduling marijuana, sent his letter in response. Some advocates took to social media to criticize Holder for denying he has authority. They encouraged one another on Facebook and Twitter to flood Holders office with calls challenging his statement. They made another push asking him to reclassify marijuana, noting that President Obama has said that he does not believe marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol.

Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, meaning it is classified as the most harmful category of drugs, with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Advocates believe that if marijuana is taken out of that classification, it would clear the path for more research into the effects of marijuana and ultimately lead to legalization and regulation nationwide.

While Holders statement was an opinion, and something that cant easily be fact-checked, it is important to explore it, as well asCohens response. As more states look toward legalizing recreational marijuana, advocates are pushing back stronger on statements such as Holders. Twenty-three states have legalized medical marijuana. Alaska recentlybecame the third state to legalize marijuana, and D.C.s recreational marijuana law is set to take effect Feb. 26.

Can the attorney general change the drug classification of marijuana? What are underlying policy issues that lead to questions over exactly what authority he has?

Under federal law, the attorney general can move to add, reschedule or remove drugs on his own, at the request of the health and human services secretary or in response to a public petition. But the law also requires the attorney general to gather data and scientific and medical evaluation from the HHS secretary before doing so.

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Fact Checker: Can Eric Holder change the federal drug classification of marijuana?