Augut 27, 2007

The Nation's Top Lawyer Steps Down

Alberto Gonzales resigns his job as U.S. Attorney General

By David Bjerklie

Alberto Gonzales has been one of President George W. Bush's closest and most trusted advisers. But the loyal friend and fellow Texan who became the country's first Hispanic U.S. Attorney General decided to call it quits on Monday. He will stay on the job until September 17. Paul Clement will serve as temporary Attorney General until a new Attorney General is appointed.

EVAN VVUCCI-AP President Bush accepts Gonzales' resignation from the airport in Waco, Texas.

As Attorney General, Gonzales was the top law-enforcement officer in the country. His job was to direct the Department of Justice, which is responsible for making sure that the country's laws are applied fairly to everyone. President Bush appointed Gonzales in 2005. The White House praised the hardworking son of poor Mexican immigrants as an American success story.

Under Fire

In December 2006, Gonzales became tangled up in a bitter argument over the firing of nine U.S. federal prosecutors. Federal prosecutors are the lawyers who decide which cases should be brought to trial. Opponents of Gonzales claimed that some of the prosecutors were fired because they didn't agree with the President. The critics accused the Attorney General of poor judgment. They also said that Gonzales was placing his loyalty to Bush above his responsibility to the law and the American people.

Gonzales and Bush argued that the President and Attorney General had the authority to fire whomever they wanted. Gonzales maintained that the prosecutors were dismissed because of their less-than stellar performance and not for political reasons.

A U.S. Senate Judiciary panel investigated the firings. The hearings were tense and many politicians felt they raised more questions than they answered. The head of the judiciary panel, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, told Gonzales very bluntly, "I don't trust you."

Gonzales has also been criticized for his stand on other issues, including how prisoners captured in Afghanistan and Iraq should be treated. President Bush stood by his long-time friend even as criticism grew stronger. But finally, Bush accepted Gonzales' resignation. "After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to submit his resignation and I have accepted his decisions," said the President on Monday from Texas where he is vacationing.

Gonzales said farewell by reminding Americans that public service is honorable and noble. "I have lived the American dream. Even my worst days as Attorney General have been better than my father's best days."

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