Essential Politics: Details emerge on Legislature hiring Holder, new report on California's housing crisis This is Essential Politics, our daily look at California political and government news. The law firm of Eric Holder, the former U.S. attorney general, has been hired by the California Legislature to defend state policies during the term of President-elect Trump. Rep. Darrell Issa on Wednesday launched a new effort to change the rules of the nation's skilled worker visa program . The law firm of Eric Holder, the former U.S. attorney general, has been hired by the California Legislature to defend state policies during the term of President-elect Trump. Rep. Darrell Issa on Wednesday launched a new effort to change the rules of the nation's skilled worker visa program .