Breaking: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has Resigned (Wizbang)

Fox News Channel says that this information comes to us via a senior administration official. Apparently, he called the president to say that he is done.

The New York Times has more:

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. A senior administration official said he would announce the decision later this morning in Washington.
Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday, the official said. His decision was not immediately announced, the official added, until after the president invited him and his wife to lunch at his ranch near here.

Mr. Bush has not yet chosen a replacement but will not leave the position open long, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Attorney General's resignation had not yet been made public.

Mr. Bush had repeatedly stood by Mr. Gonzales, an old friend and colleague from Texas, even as he faced increasing scrutiny for his leadership of the Justice Department, including his role in the dismissals of nine United States attorneys late last year and questions about whether he testified truthfully about the National Security Agency's surveillance programs.

There have been a lot of rumors that Chertoff will replace him.

Press conference has been scheduled for this morning at 10:30am.

Update: Don't forget that just a couple weeks ago, when Karl Rove announced his resignation, we learned that Bush's Chief of Staff Josh Bolten said that those who weren't prepared to stay for the remainder of Bush's term should leave by Labor Day. Gonzales' resignation seems to fall in line more with this than with any pressure from critics for him to leave

Comments (81)

What great way to start the... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by BarneyG2000 | August 27, 2007 8:37 AM | Score: -10 (16 votes cast)

BarneyG2000:

What great way to start the day.

Posted on August 27, 2007 08:37

Here we go - Congress is ou... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by mblahut | August 27, 2007 8:46 AM | Score: -13 (17 votes cast)

mblahut:

Here we go - Congress is out - another recess appointment! How about doing nothing Mr. President.Only then will our coutry be saved !

Posted on August 27, 2007 08:46

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I say... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Tom Blogical | August 27, 2007 8:55 AM | Score: -5 (13 votes cast)

Tom Blogical:

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I say, at this stunning news!

/sarcasm off

Posted on August 27, 2007 08:55

Good riddan... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by civil behavior | August 27, 2007 9:04 AM | Score: -10 (16 votes cast)

civil behavior:

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

They've been working on this one. First the brain (Rove)and now the mouth Gonzo). What are Dick and Bush so afraid of?

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:04

"I've had all the fun I can... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by JLawson | August 27, 2007 9:10 AM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)

JLawson:

"I've had all the fun I can stand. I'm outta here."

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:10

Maybe he will nominate Harr... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by BarneyG2000 | August 27, 2007 9:13 AM | Score: -8 (12 votes cast)

Maybe he will nominate Harriet Miers?

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:13

Recess Appointment, and I'm... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 9:15 AM | Score: 4 (10 votes cast)

kim:

Recess Appointment, and I'm betting on Kmiec.
============================================

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:15

and "civil" behavior takes ... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Falze | August 27, 2007 9:16 AM | Score: 1 (7 votes cast)

Falze:

and "civil" behavior takes the derogatory gutter language low road. I am just so very shocked.

Chertoff? No! Isn't there a moderate democrat senator from a state with a Republican governor?

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:16

cb, my take: Rove is more i... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 9:17 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

cb, my take: Rove is more important elsewhere, and Gonzales no longer has the credibility to clean up the Justice Department. His successor will.

By the way, the War is over and the globe is cooling. You think I'm joking.
========================

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:17

Definitely a recess appoint... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Tom Blogical | August 27, 2007 9:20 AM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)

Definitely a recess appointment, it would be a circus otherwise. Kim, you bring up an interesting name.

And in regard to my first comment, holy cow, doesn't anybody have a sense of humor anymore; and nobody could see this coming? Sheesh.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:20

Actually, both Kims bring u... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Tom Blogical | August 27, 2007 9:21 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

Actually, both Kims bring up interesting names.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:21

I don't think there will be... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Allen | August 27, 2007 9:25 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

Allen:

I don't think there will be a recess appointment.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:25

It's nice to see 2 serial p... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by JFO | August 27, 2007 9:28 AM | Score: -12 (14 votes cast)

JFO:

It's nice to see 2 serial perjurers gone from our executive branch. Now, if only the rest of the liars would leave. Oooops - we'd have no executive branch.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:28

I am glad Gonzalas is gone.... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by WildWillie | August 27, 2007 9:32 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

WildWillie:

I am glad Gonzalas is gone. He is no friend to the "enforce illegal immigration" folks. Of course I am not gleeful like JFO and the other liberal trolls that take comfort in anything that weakens us as a country.

Kim, I believe you are right. ww

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:32

WWWhat "wekaens us... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by JFO | August 27, 2007 9:33 AM | Score: -8 (12 votes cast)

What "wekaens us as a country" are serial perjurers at the highest levels of our government.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:33

Hmmmm...since when was Gonz... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Tom Blogical | August 27, 2007 9:36 AM | Score: 7 (11 votes cast)

Hmmmm...since when was Gonzales convicted of perjury?

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:36

Just a thought. Can any of ... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by jhow66 | August 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Score: 6 (10 votes cast)

jhow66:

Just a thought. Can any of the lefty crybabies name one "private" citizen that the AG spied on? You hear all this crap that the Justice Dept. is spying on private citizens but never any proof. Just a smoke screen put up by the bootlickers to cover their whimpy rear.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:41

The accused perjuror who mo... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Score: 6 (12 votes cast)

The accused perjuror who most damaged the country lately is Val Plame.
===============================

"What 'wekaens [sic] us as ... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by yo | August 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Score: 8 (12 votes cast)

yo:

"What 'wekaens [sic] us as a country' are serial perjurers at the highest levels of our government."

Couldn't agree more.

*cough*Clin*cough*cough*ton*Albreigh*weeeeez*t*

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:45

Wonder how much the lib-id... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by GianiD | August 27, 2007 9:47 AM | Score: 5 (11 votes cast)

GianiD:

Wonder how much the lib-idiots complained when Hildebeasts fave man, Janet Reno was AG.

Look at how she handled the Waco disaster, how many people did she and Klinton kill? How many blind eyes did she turn to corporate accounting fraud, which CRUSHED Wall St, I believe, in Feb 2002.

Me, Id nominate Coulter as a recess appt AG. Libs love to stir up the beehive, look at the morons who've already commented here. Might as well do to them what they do to us conservatives.

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:47

JFO what weakens this count... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by jhow66 | August 27, 2007 9:52 AM | Score: 7 (11 votes cast)

JFO what weakens this country is statements like you just made that has no factual basis other then your hate for Bush because your side got their rear punched out not once but twice. You cannot come to grips that more people believed in him then that guy that married the catsoup lady. The people elected someone that did not let a scratch cause him to tuck his tail and run. They elected someone that was loyal to his men such as the one that is now the headline of the day. He did not cut and run like Mr. Catsoup did. As and after thought, has AG been convicted of anything?

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:52

Hope he did,nt let the door... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by spurwing plover | August 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Score: 0 (8 votes cast)

spurwing plover:

Hope he did,nt let the door hit him in the backside as he left

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:54

Actually jhow, you misguide... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by JFO | August 27, 2007 10:00 AM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)

Actually jhow, you misguided idiot, what strengthens this country is the truth and the freedom to dissent. But cro-magnons like you are clueless, instead relying on the anger, xenophobia, hatred and bigotry that rules how you think and react.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:00

JFO - do you ever read what... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by yo | August 27, 2007 10:04 AM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)

JFO - do you ever read what you post?

Go to HuffPo, DKos, DU and tell me that you can't find rampant, unabashed xenophobia, hatred and bigotry. So much so that it makes any that you'd find on this site PALE in comparison.

Your point on truth and dissent are spot on, but you framed it in such a way that you come across as a complete douchebag.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:04

Gonzales press meeting 3/20... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by BarneyG2000 | August 27, 2007 10:11 AM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)

Gonzales press meeting 3/2007:
GONZALES: I'm not going to resign. I'm going to stay focused on protecting our kids. There's a lot of work that needs to be done around the country. The department is responsible for protecting our kids, for making our neighborhoods safe, for protecting our country against attacks of terrorism, to going after gangs, going after drug dealers. I'm staying focussed on that.

I Gonzo doesn't think much about the "kids" any more. I guess they are all protected now and terrorism is no longer a problem, so Gonzo can now retire knowing that his work is done.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:11

A libnut talking about prot... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by GianiD | August 27, 2007 10:16 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

A libnut talking about protecting our kids?

WOW, you really are clueless arent you?

How many million have libs helped abort? How many millions of kids died because of libs, in SE Asia, in Serbia, in Iraq, in Africa, hell, how many kids are dying in all of those 'big blue cities' govenred by the nuts who say they do a better job. Guess we could also bring up NAMBLA(they wont) and how lib judges give less punishment to a child molestor than to a petty thief.

Libs protecting kids?? That's funny, who can we convict for failing to protect you? Someone obviously failed.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:16

Since Gonzales was so busy ... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Tom Blogical | August 27, 2007 10:19 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

Since Gonzales was so busy with defending his actions in congressional hearings just for doing his job, it's no wonder he's resigning. Someone else will be able to do the job more efficiently until Congress can come up with another fishing expedition.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:19

JFO and his ilk don't even ... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by WildWillie | August 27, 2007 10:28 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

JFO and his ilk don't even realize how their hatred has altered their reason. JFO would say "Hey, soldiers died today as well as citizens in Iraq" in a celebritory way because it may weaken GW. They care not that the deaths occured only that it hurts GW. Same with Gonzalas. AS I said earlier, I am glad he is gone. He likes to convict Border agents and give illegal drug smugglers a free get out of jail card. But, I am not gleeful. I am saddened that we keep taking our eye off the ball. The left is trying to win little skirmishes while the total war is being lost. Pathetic, but predictable. ww

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:28

Good one, jhow66, Mr. Catso... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 10:33 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

Good one, jhow66, Mr. Catsoup. I gotta remember that one.

Apparently Chertoff is OK with Schumer, which makes me suspicious.
=================================

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:33

Gonzo said (in his press br... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by BarneyG2000 | August 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Score: -9 (9 votes cast)

Gonzo said (in his press briefing) that his worst days were better than his fathers best days? Does that include the day Gonzo was born, or the day his father married his mother?

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:36

Gonzo's resignation starts ... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by tas | August 27, 2007 10:37 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

tas:

Gonzo's resignation starts on Sept. 17 -- so there willl be no recess appointments since he's officially resigning after Congress comes back into session.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:37

"Recess Appointment, and... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by FreedomFries | August 27, 2007 10:37 AM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)

FreedomFries:

"Recess Appointment, and I'm betting on Kmiec."

Another silly from The Analcle of Delphi, the Queen of Fartune Kookie Kwips.

The resignation is effective 9/16, not likely to fall into a "recess" appointment.

32. Posted by FreedomFries ... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by yo | August 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)

32. Posted by FreedomFries | August 27, 2007 10:37 AM

Dude ..., do the math: Kim made her "prediction" an hour and a half before Gonzo announced the date.

Her prediction was off, sure ... so what?

Does this mean I can call you the Asshole of Delphi?

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:43

Too late, FF. I've already... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)

Too late, FF. I've already talked about Schumer. It's a deal. If Schumer's in on it, I'm suspicious.
===============================

Oh, yeah. Thanks, yo. Fre... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 10:45 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Oh, yeah. Thanks, yo. Freedom Fries is green with envy.
============

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:45

"Does that include the d... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by FreedomFries | August 27, 2007 10:56 AM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)

"Does that include the day Gonzo was born, or the day his father married his mother?"

Barney, the days were one & the same, the latter event after the first.

Posted on August 27, 2007 10:56

You pitiful fraud FF; I've ... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by kim | August 27, 2007 11:00 AM | Score: 1 (5 votes cast)

You pitiful fraud FF; I've maintained that one of the lost messages of Jesus was to legitimize illegitimacy.
============================

Posted on August 27, 2007 11:00

Gonzo the Goofus began, "<i... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by FreedomFries | August 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Score: -5 (7 votes cast)

Gonzo the Goofus began, " Thirteen years ago I entered public service to make a positive difference in the lives of others."i>

Yep, a positive difference in the life of Gov. Bush, freeing him of jury duty so he would not have to admit a DUI citation publicly.

38. Posted by FreedomFries | August 27, 2007 11:07 AM |

Breaking: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has Resigned

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Comments (81)