John Ashcroft, Don Evans Resign From Bush Cabinet
Posted: 4:51 pm CST November 9, 2004Updated: 9:49 pm CST November 9, 2004
WASHINGTON -- Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans have resigned.
They are the first members of President George W. Bush's Cabinet to leave since he was re-elected to a second term last week.
The resignations were announced by White House press secretary Scott McClellan, who said Bush had accepted the decisions of both secretaries. In a handwritten, five-page letter to the president, Ashcroft wrote that "the objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved." But he goes on to say that the Justice Department would be "well served" by "new leadership and fresh inspiration." Evans is a close friend of Bush's from Texas. He wrote that while "the promise" of Bush's second term "shines bright," he believes it's time to go home.In a statement, Bush said Ashcroft has worked tirelessly to help make our country safer. He also said Ashcroft transformed the Justice Department to make combating terrorism the top priority while making sure that the rights of Americans were "respected and protected."Speculation about a successor to Ashcroft has centered on his former deputy, Larry Thompson. If appointed, Thompson would be the nation's first black attorney general. Others prominently mentioned include Bush's 2004 campaign chairman, former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot, and White House general counsel Alberto Gonzales.The president called Evans one of his "most trusted friends and advisers." Bush said Evans was "a valuable member" of his economic team who worked to advance economic security and prosperity for all Americans.
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Bush Statements: Ashcroft | Evans
Images: The Bush CabinetInteractive: Bush's Agenda For 2nd Term The resignations were announced by White House press secretary Scott McClellan, who said Bush had accepted the decisions of both secretaries. In a handwritten, five-page letter to the president, Ashcroft wrote that "the objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved." But he goes on to say that the Justice Department would be "well served" by "new leadership and fresh inspiration." Evans is a close friend of Bush's from Texas. He wrote that while "the promise" of Bush's second term "shines bright," he believes it's time to go home.In a statement, Bush said Ashcroft has worked tirelessly to help make our country safer. He also said Ashcroft transformed the Justice Department to make combating terrorism the top priority while making sure that the rights of Americans were "respected and protected."Speculation about a successor to Ashcroft has centered on his former deputy, Larry Thompson. If appointed, Thompson would be the nation's first black attorney general. Others prominently mentioned include Bush's 2004 campaign chairman, former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot, and White House general counsel Alberto Gonzales.The president called Evans one of his "most trusted friends and advisers." Bush said Evans was "a valuable member" of his economic team who worked to advance economic security and prosperity for all Americans.
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- November 4, 2004: Spokeswoman: Giuliani Doesn't Want Ashcroft's Job
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