WASHINGTON – Following the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales,
 
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, D-MD
, today issued the following statement:
 

“Alberto Gonzales’ tenure as Attorney General has been marred by partisanship and lack of candor with Congress about the firings of the nine U.S. attorneys and other matters.
   His resignation is the right move for the country.
  We can never tolerate a Department of Justice that has become a political arm of the White House, and we cannot have an Attorney General who does not have the confidence of the American people,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
   

“I expect President Bush to act quickly in nominating a new Attorney General.
  As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to questioning the President’s nominee during confirmation hearings.
  A new Attorney General must put partisan politics aside and move forward in enforcing our nation’s laws and protecting the U.S. Constitution.”