WATCH: Reports Of Eric Holder’s Resignation Stun Black Lawmakers

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivers a keynote speech at New York University's law school, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in New York. According to Holder, the Justice Department expects to end the current budget yea... U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivers a keynote speech at New York University's law school, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in New York. According to Holder, the Justice Department expects to end the current budget year next week with a federal prison population of roughly 215,000 inmates. The prison population has dropped in the last year by roughly 4,800, the first time in several decades that the inmate count has gone down, according to the Justice Department. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) MORE LESS
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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus were incredulous Thursday when they were informed that Attorney General Eric Holder planned to announce his resignation later that day.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) apparently first broke the news to lawmakers and their audience at an event for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

“The word is now that the Attorney General will resign today, and he has served our country very very well,” Pelosi said. “But the message is that the Attorney General will be submitting his resignation to the President. So let us salute him once again for all of his great, great work.”

Those present could be heard saying “what?” and “wow!” as Pelosi relayed the news.

“That is so bad, that is terrible,” Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) said. “Why? That is so sad.”

“That’s devastating,” a female panelist said repeatedly.

Reps. Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), and Joyce Beatty (D-OH) were present.

Watch below:

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