U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales officially announced his resignation on Monday, thanking President George W. Bush for his “friendship and for the many opportunities he has given me to serve the American people.” Gonzales publicly announced his departure, effective September 17, at a press conference, though the White House confirmed the resignation earlier to journalists. Gonzales became attorney general in 2004. The departure comes after months of calls from Democrats and some Republicans for Gonzales to resign or be fired over his role in a controversial domestic spying program and the firing of several U.S. attorneys. Today Gonzales spoke only briefly, refusing reporters' questions, to describe his time leading the Department of Justice as “one of my greatest privileges.”
