Embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned last week. Gonzales, a longtime friend of President George W. Bush, was called "a man of integrity, decency and principle" in president's remarks on his resignation.

"It's sad that we live in a time when a talented and honorable person like Alberto Gonzales is impeded from doing important work because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons," US president Bush said.

Critics charge that Gonzales violated long-held constitutional principles in his support for expanding surveillance of suspected terrorists. His firing of several U.S. attorneys was said to be politically motivated, although past administrations had frequently fired U.S. attorneys, who serve at the pleasure of the president.

"Gonzales now joins a long list of Republican officials resigning under a cloud of scandal, but these resignations cannot purge the Bush Administration of its problems," said Democratic National
Committee Chairman Howard Dean, "The true problem rests with the Bush White House itself, which continues to put what's best for the Republican Party ahead of what's best for America."

The likely temporary replacement for Gonzales is Solicitor General Paul Clement, who would take over until a permanent replacement is found, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.