It was a beautiful winter’s day, Friday, Jan. 24, 1975, when the bombing of Fraunces Tavern in New York City shattered our family. My father, Frank Connor, died in the attack at age 33. FALN–the Puerto Rican Armed Forces for National Liberation–proudly claimed responsibility.

Yet in 1999, Pres. Bill Clinton decided to grant clemency to 16 FALN and Macheteros members convicted on counts such as conspiracy and weapons charges. While no one had been convicted of the 100-plus bombings for which FALN had claimed responsibility, the bombings had stopped when these unrepentant terrorists were in jail. Clinton’s deputy attorney general, Eric Holder, had led the drive for clemency.

Our father loved his family and his country, and deserves better than having his life and tragic death used for politics. But incredibly, Eric Holder expects to be confirmed this week as U.S. attorney general, the nation’s top cop.

In considering his department’s recommendation on clemency, Holder reportedly met with supporters of the terrorists nine times–but ignored people like us, their victims. He pushed staff members to drop their strong opposition and rewrite a report they’d prepared. Though they’d never formally requested clemency, the terrorists were allowed 30 days to decide if they would accept it and provided conference calls between prisons to discuss. Today they walk free, although two turned down their pardons because they were unwilling to renounce violence.

Shortly after the terrorists’ release on Sept. 10, 1999, several victims and family members testified at Senate and House hearings to determine why Clinton granted the clemencies. Bi-partisan condemnation was evident by a 95-2 non-binding Senate vote. Sen. Orrin Hatch led the proceedings, condemning the clemencies and the veil of executive privilege behind which Clinton and the DOJ were hiding.

During subsequent Senate testimony, Holder refused to answer most questions, claiming executive privilege over a dozen times. He refused to discuss former pardon attorney Margaret Love’s 1996 report recommending against clemency, and absurdly stated that a September 1999 report from Janet Reno recommending against the “impending release” of Puerto Rican terrorists was not referring to the 16 who were offered clemency.

Then-FBI director Louis Freeh also opposed clemency, and in a letter to Rep. Henry Hyde wrote, “The FBI has consistently advised the DOJ in writing that the FBI was opposed to any such pardon and or commutation of sentences for any of these individuals.” Further, the FBI pointed out that “any such pardon of the currently incarcerated terrorists would likely return committed, experienced, sophisticated and hardened terrorists to the clandestine movement.”

Incredibly, it has been reported Hatch and Freeh are endorsing Holder. But Holder’s actions clearly disqualify him from such a vital office. According to the released DOJ memos, his main concern revolved around the public-relations problem that would result if the terrorists committed additional crimes.

During testimony Thursday, Holder admitted that he’d recommended clemency to Clinton in writing, and that he still thinks the clemency “reasonable.” How can we ever trust him to do what is right for our people?

– Joseph F. Connor works in finance in New York.