Attorney General Eric Holder said at the investiture for the Detroit-based U.S. Attorney today that the prosecutor is a “strong addition” to the nation’s 93 U.S. Attorneys.

Barbara McQuade (DOJ)

Holder lauded Eastern District of Michigan U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade in prepared remarks ^[1] delivered in Detroit at the swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and McQuade’s family, friends and colleagues. The Attorney General said he was “immediately impressed” with McQuade when he met with her last year to talk about taking the job.

“She obviously possessed a deep understanding of complex legal and national security issues, and evinced an unwavering faith in the justice system that she has spent a career serving,” Holder said. “But I was also struck by Barb’s faith in her colleagues here in the Eastern District of Michigan, and her conviction that this office could play an important role in addressing the challenges facing Southeastern Michigan.”

McQuade, who was officially sworn into office early last month, said in a recent interview ^[2] with the Detroit Free Press that improving the efficiency of her 108-employee office is one of her top priorities.

She  also told the newspaper that fighting violent crime, terrorism and public corruption are priorities.

Her office is prosecuting a public corruption case involving former Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers, who is married to Democratic House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers of Michigan. McQuade and her prosecutors are also handling the case against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who allegedly hid explosives in his underwear in a failed attempt to bomb Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.

“In the aftermath of that attempted attack, Barb has been charged with overseeing the very important prosecution that has resulted. And she’s impressed me once again,” Holder said. “She has enlisted the cooperation of the Justice Department’s law enforcement partners at every level. And she is insuring that her office will be able to present the strongest case possible.”

Holder now has attended eight U.S. Attorney investitures.