U.S. Attorney General Resigns

Gonzales's time at Justice Department marked by criticism

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Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announces his resignation at the Department of Justice in Washington, Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. (Photo: ©Charles Dharapak/AP Images)

August 27—U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has decided to resign. The announcement came on Monday, after intense criticism was aimed at him for months. The criticism came from members of the U.S. Congress and many others, who questioned his honesty and his abilities.

"Yesterday I met with President Bush and informed him of my decision to conclude my government services as Attorney General of the United States, effective September 17," Gonzales said in a prepared statement.

He went on to describe public service as "honorable and noble" and thanked President Bush for his friendship. Gonzales did not take questions from reporters.

President Bush accepted the resignation of the Attorney General. In an initial statement to reporters, the President asserted that Gonzales’s "good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.”

Controversial Decisions

One of the main issues that brought Gonzales criticism was his defense of a no-warrant wiretapping program. The program allowed the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without first getting permission from a court.

Most recently, the Attorney General has been under fire over his role in the dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys. Six of the attorneys who were forced to quit have testified before Congress. They said they think they were targeted by the Attorney General’s office because of their political beliefs and not their job performance.

In theory, the U.S. Attorney General is not supposed to side with either party, but remain neutral, or fair to all, at all times.

Finding a Replacement

The post of Attorney General will likely be filled quickly. Senators are anxious to see whom President Bush will nominate.
Susan Collins, a Republican Senator from Maine says,  “I am hopeful that the President will name a strong successor who will begin to restore confidence in the department."

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