I think the way the statement was phrased, however, is meant to give the impression that it is now the Executive (and its legal counsel), rather than the Supreme Court, that decides on the constitutionality of a law.
Obama and the gang were very successful in casting aside “advise and consent” during the last Congress, and they avoided anything that might have been problematic by declaring that policies that should have been set by the legislature were instead to be set by administrative acts of agencies of the Executive Branch.
With the change in the House, they have lost the ability to do this (not easily, at least). So now they’re attempting to do an end-run around the Supreme Court instead.
Interesting. I didn’t see that. Holder’s statement said that DOMA remains the law and the the President will enforce the law. It also said that he invited Congresscritters to defend the law in court if they so chose.