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Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigns

27 August 2007 16:54 (UTC +04:00)

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stepped down from his post Monday, after months of growing criticism from Congress.
Gonzales held a press conference at the Justice Department Friday morning, announcing that he will leave his post officially September 17. He thanked President Bush, saying that he is "profoundly grateful" for the opportunity to serve as attorney general. Gonzales did not take any questions from the press.
President Bush is also expected to make a statement at 11:30 a.m.
The embattled attorney general had withstood months of criticism from both sides of the aisle in Congress for a variety of missteps. Lawmakers blasted Gonzales after his department fired at least nine U.S. attorneys last year and accused him of misusing terrorist surveillance programs. Most recently Democrats charged that Gonzales had repeatedly lied to Congress under oath.
Throughout Gonzales’ sometimes rocky tenure, President Bush had defended him, accusing his detractors of playing politics. The New York Times reported Friday that Gonzales submitted his resignation to the president by phone Friday morning.
Bush has yet to announce a replacement for the attorney general position, but The Associated Press reports a likely temporary replacement for Gonzales is Solicitor General Paul Clement, according to a senior department official. /APA/