WASHINGTON, 28 August 2007 — US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation yesterday, falling victim to political storms raging around the White House deepened by Democratic demands for a perjury probe. Gonzales, a key figure in the row over “war on terror” legal tactics and a showdown over the firing of federal prosecutors, was the latest top official to leave, 17 months before President George W. Bush exits the White House.
“Yesterday, I met with President Bush and informed him of my decision to conclude my government service as attorney general of the United States effective as of Sept. 17, 2007,” Gonzales said.
A Bush confidant ever since the president was Texas governor, Gonzales had been mauled by critics in the Democratic-led Congress and had even lost confidence of some senior Republicans.
He made his announcement in a short statement to the press.
President Bush yesterday complained that Gonzales had seen his name “dragged through the mud.” “Al Gonzales is a man of integrity, decency and principle, and I have reluctantly accepted his resignation,” Bush said. “It’s sad that we live in a time when a talented and honorable person, like Alberto Gonzales, is impeded from doing important work, because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.”
“As attorney general, and before that as White House counsel, Al Gonzales has played a critical role in shaping our policies in the war on terror, and he has worked tirelessly to make this country safer.” Bush said Gonzales had endured months of “unfair treatment.”
After months defying demands by Democrats and even some of Bush’s Republican allies in Congress for his resignation, Gonzales told Bush he would quit in a telephone call on Friday, a senior White House official said. “The attorney general seriously considered this over the congressional recess and offered his resignation on Friday,” the official told AFP.
“The president reluctantly accepted his offer.” Another official said Gonzales had taken the decision reluctantly, but believed his departure was “in the best interests of the department.” US Solicitor General Paul Clement, another top Justice Department official will serve as acting attorney general until a replacement is confirmed by the US Senate.
Several reports said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was already being lined up as a possible successor to Gonzales, in what is likely to be a bruising confirmation process. Gonzales’ departure follows close behind that of other members of Bush’s loyal kitchen Cabinet of former Texas officials, after political guru Karl Rove announced his own resignation earlier this month.
While it may be seen as a victory for Bush’s opponents, Gonzales’ departure will spare the president from a political headache as he prepares to confront Congress over his Iraq strategy next month. Democrats welcomed the top law officer’s decision. “Under this attorney general and this president, the Department of Justice suffered a severe crisis of leadership that allowed our justice system to be corrupted by political influence,” said Democratic Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy.
