Report: Three More Top-Level Officials Resign From White House
Posted: 8:12 am CST November 16, 2004Updated: 11:37 am CST November 16, 2004
There are reports that three more high-level resignations have been turned in to the White House.
CNN reports that two senior-level White House sources told them that Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has resigned. Although CNN says it has confirmed the information, the office of Homeland Security cannot confirm the resignation.
He reportedly told colleagues earlier that he would probably leave because of his personal finances and job stresses.White House homeland security adviser Frances Townsend is a possible successor. Other prospects are Asa Hutchinson, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for border and transportation security, and Thomas Kean, chairman of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.CNN also reported that Tommy Thompson, the Health and Human Services chief, is going to resign.Thompson has reportedly said he would take a break from government service after four years on the job at HHS and 14 as Wisconsin governor. The favorite to replace Thompson is Medicare chief Mark McClellan.CNN also reports that Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage will be leaving the administration as well. Armitage was sworn in on March 26, 2001 and reportedly handed in his resignation Monday.The White House on Monday announced the resignations of Secretary of State Colin Powell, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. Veneman had said last week she wanted to stay.Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans quit soon after the president's re-election. Bush has yet to name a replacement for Evans. Last week, Bush picked White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to take Ashcroft's place.Thompson, and Ridge's resignations would bring the number of Cabinet chiefs leaving to eight out of a total of 15 in what's shaping up as a major second-term shakeup. Bush's second term begins with his inauguration Jan. 20.In announcing his resignation Monday, Powell said he's been pleased with his job, but it's simply time for him to step down.
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Powell's Life: A SummaryBackground: Abraham | Veneman | Paige
Bush Statements: Ashcroft | Evans
Images: The Bush CabinetInteractive: Bush's Agenda For 2nd Term He reportedly told colleagues earlier that he would probably leave because of his personal finances and job stresses.White House homeland security adviser Frances Townsend is a possible successor. Other prospects are Asa Hutchinson, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for border and transportation security, and Thomas Kean, chairman of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.CNN also reported that Tommy Thompson, the Health and Human Services chief, is going to resign.Thompson has reportedly said he would take a break from government service after four years on the job at HHS and 14 as Wisconsin governor. The favorite to replace Thompson is Medicare chief Mark McClellan.CNN also reports that Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage will be leaving the administration as well. Armitage was sworn in on March 26, 2001 and reportedly handed in his resignation Monday.The White House on Monday announced the resignations of Secretary of State Colin Powell, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. Veneman had said last week she wanted to stay.Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans quit soon after the president's re-election. Bush has yet to name a replacement for Evans. Last week, Bush picked White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to take Ashcroft's place.Thompson, and Ridge's resignations would bring the number of Cabinet chiefs leaving to eight out of a total of 15 in what's shaping up as a major second-term shakeup. Bush's second term begins with his inauguration Jan. 20.In announcing his resignation Monday, Powell said he's been pleased with his job, but it's simply time for him to step down.
Bush To Make Cabinet Announcement Later Today
Tuesday, Bush nominated national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to become the next secretary of state. Click here to read that full story. Rumsfeld Future In Cabinet Still Not Clear With the impending nomination of Rice as secretary of state, the fate of one major player in the Bush cabinet is still up in the air: that of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In the last week, Rumsfeld has deflected questions about his future twice -- at a Pentagon briefing last week, and Monday at a meeting in Ecuador of foreign ministers from Western Hemisphere nations. Rumsfeld said he has yet to discuss the matter with the president. Still, Rumsfeld has made it clear he would like to continue working on a pet project -- the transformation and global repositioning of American forces. He also has his duties connected with the stabilization of Iraq and the prosecution of the war on terror. Previous Stories:
- November 15, 2004: Official: Bush Asks Rice To Be Secretary Of State
- November 15, 2004: Powell: Single Term Always Part Of Plan
- November 15, 2004: Secretary Of State Colin Powell Stepping Down
- November 12, 2004: Source: Paige Stepping Down As Education Secretary
- November 12, 2004: Ashcroft: Judges Threaten National Security By Questioning Bush
- November 10, 2004: Bush Names White House Counsel To Succeed Ashcroft
- November 9, 2004: John Ashcroft, Don Evans Resign From Bush Cabinet
- November 4, 2004: Spokeswoman: Giuliani Doesn't Want Ashcroft's Job
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