Alberto Gonzales

“ Any court authorization had to ensure that the Intelligence Community would have the speed and agility necessary to protect the Nation from al Qaeda--the very speed and agility that was offered by the Terrorist Surveillance Program. ”

“ Please accept my resignation as Attorney General of the United States, effective September 17, 2007.
I am proud to have served with the career investigators, administrative and support staff, litigators, and prosecutors in the Department of Justice. It is because of their hard work and professionalism that our country today is safer from acts of terrorism, our neighborhoods suffer less from violent crime, and our children are better protected from predators. ”

“ The President is committed to using all lawful tools to protect our Nation from the terrorist threat, including making maximum use of the authorities provided by FISA and taking full advantage of developments in the law. ”