Attorney General John Ashcroft speaks at a National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month event on Wednesday, November 28, 2001. (Photo: U.S. Department of Justice)

Wednesday, November 10—The second, four-year term for President George W. Bush is shaping up, just a week after his re-election.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has resigned and a replacement has been named. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans also resigned this week. Sticking around for a second term is White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card. He will become the longest serving Chief of Staff since President Dwight Eisenhower created the position in 1953.

Ashcroft

The 62-year-old Ashcroft has not been in good health. He had his gallbladder removed in March. Ashcroft, a former Senator from Missouri, was one of the most controversial members of Bush's administration. He was criticized for being too conservative. The Attorney General is the nation's top law enforcement official.

President George W. Bush announces his nomination of White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to succeed John Ashcroft as the next U.S. Attorney General during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room Wednesday, November 10, 2004. (Photo: Paul Morse)

"The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved," Ashcroft wrote in his letter of resignation to President Bush.

The President praised Ashcroft in a statement accepting his resignation. He said the Attorney General has "transformed the department to make combating terrorism the top priority."

White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales was named as Ashcroft's successor, or replacement, this afternoon. President Bush made the announcement from the White House.

"His sharp intellect and sound judgment have helped shape our policies in the war on terror," Bush said of Gonzales, whom he had appointed to the Texas Supreme Court when he was Governor. Gonzales had also served as Texas's Secretary of State. If the Senate approves the appointment, Gonzales will be the first Hispanic to serve as Attorney General.

Evans

Secretary of Commerce Don Evans speaks at the Climate Change Press Conference, July 24, 2003. (Photo: U.S. Department of Commerce)

Evans, 58, is one of the President's closest friends. He resigned to move back to Texas with his family, where he was a businessman in the oil and gas industry. As the 34th Secretary of Commerce, he supervised 40,000 employees and a $5.8 billion budget. He focused on promoting Bush's tax cuts during his four years in office.

"Don Evans is one of my most trusted friends and advisers," Bush said in a statement released yesterday. "He has been a valuable member of my economic team. Don has worked to advance economic security and prosperity for all Americans. He has worked steadfastly to make sure America continues to be the best place in the world to do business."

Mercer Reynolds, a Cincinnati businessman who served as Bush's campaign finance chairman, is a top candidate to replace Evans.