Ridge to resign from Homeland Security Dept.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will announce his resignation from the Bush cabinet today, according to mainstream media reports. Ridge was the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which was formed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The creation of DHS was the largest reorganization of the federal government since the creation of the Department of Defense in 1947.
While it is normal for a round of resignations and new appointments when a president wins reelection, Ridge and six previous resignations since the election account for nearly 47% of President Bush’s fifteen-member cabinet. Ridge joins Secretary of State Colin Powell, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Attorney General John Ashcroft, and Commerce Secretary Donald Evans.
President Bush has so far only announced four replacement nominations, and all nominees must be confirmed by the Senate before taking office.
