Fox News host Bill O'Reilly described Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch a “hero” in a 2012 broadcast, which was referenced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) during Lynch's Senate confirmation hearing today. Media Matters noted O'Reilly's praise in a post detailing fringe right-wing attacks on the nominee.

Leahy recapped the case in which Lynch, then a U.S. attorney, chose to prosecute an accused child rapist under federal law after he had been sentenced to two years in prison by a state judge. Leahy then added, “Bill O'Reilly on Fox called you a 'hero' and said quote, 'you should be respected by all Americans for standing up to gross injustice' and I agree, I agree with Bill O'Reilly on that.”

O'Reilly praised Lynch in the “Talking Points” segment of the July 26, 2012 edition of The O'Reilly Factor: On the November 10, 2014 edition of his show, O'Reilly replayed his praise, and Fox host Megyn Kelly added that Lynch has also “been a hero on gang crime, on terrorism.”

OREILLY: Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly. Thanks for watching us tonight. Finally a hero to protect the kids -- that is the subject of this evening's “Talking Points” memo.

27-year-old Andrew Goodman raped two boys ages 11 and 13 over a period of four years. This savage pleaded guilty to 48 felony counts of criminal sexual acts; 48 counts. New York State Judge Martin Murphy sentenced the monster to just two years in prison outraging the victims, their families, and the Brooklyn District Attorney.

Murphy gave Goodman the minimum sentence; he could have given him life in prison. 

Why was the judge so lenient? Murphy refuses to answer the question. He is hiding under his desk. Because of time served, Goodman could be released in a few weeks.

Enter U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, who yesterday charged Goodman with a federal crime of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity. Goodman allegedly took one of the boys from New York to New Jersey to see a Kid Rock concert and then had sex with the minor.

If convicted on the federal charge, Goodman could get at least 10 years in a federal prison. Miss Lynch obviously doing this to protect children from Goodman, something Judge Murphy is unwilling to do. She is a hero and should be respected by all Americans for standing up to a gross injustice.

Loretta Lynch was appointed by President Obama two years ago, is a graduate of Harvard Law School, and is being assisted in the prosecution by the FBI.

Finally, we see a public official willing to right a grievous wrong. Finally, and we want the entire country to know it.