The very controversial, embattled, lying Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has resigned:
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.
NBC reporting possible replacements are Michael Chertoff and Orrin Hatch.
[Note from AJ: Everybody is saying Chertoff -- current Department of Homeland Security Secretary -- is the replacement. Whoever it is, the confirmation hearings should take a long, hard look at what the nominee thinks of the political influence within the Justice Department. And if it is Chertoff, the confirmation hearings for his replacement at DHS should be similarly rigorous.
On the other hand, since Congress isn't in session, are we looking at recess appointments?? How this plays out will be very interesting.]
