Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s resignation marked yet another high-profile exit among the nation’s top law enforcement officials, with past cases ranging from figures involved in the Watergate scandal to those who clashed with presidential directives.
When former President George Washington appointed Edmund Randolph as the first attorney general in 1789, he set a precedent that has seen many successors, some largely forgotten, while others remained prominent in American history.
Elliot Richardson and Richard Kleindienst — Nixon
Elliot Richardson was brought in to replace Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, who stepped down during the Watergate scandal after facing pressure from members of the infamous “plumbers” to mitigate the situation.
The “Plumbers” were tasked with breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, organized by CIA officer E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, a former FBI agent. The term cleverly plays on the dual meanings of “leak.”
Reports indicate that during a golf game in June 1972, Liddy confronted Kleindienst, insinuating that the Nixon reelection committee was linked to the break-in. Kleindienst dismissed the claims and allowed the investigation to continue.
As Watergate intensified, on April 30, 1973, Nixon accepted resignations from several key figures, including Kleindienst. Nixon publicly explained that Kleindienst believed he could not fairly oversee the investigation due to prior relationships.
Richardson’s tenure was marked by the significant “Saturday Night Massacre,” where Nixon attempted to fire special counsel Archibald Cox after a subpoena for Oval Office recordings. Richardson refused to comply and resigned instead. His aide, William Ruckelshaus, followed suit when ordered to fire Cox, leaving Robert Bork to carry out Nixon’s directive.
In November, a federal judge ruled that Cox’s dismissal was unlawful, and Nixon resigned the following year, leaving Richardson remembered for prioritizing integrity during a time of crisis.
Alberto Gonzalez — George W. Bush
Alberto Gonzalez served as a close advisor to George W. Bush since his governorship in Texas and became the first Hispanic attorney general as well as the highest-ranking Hispanic cabinet member until Marco Rubio was appointed as secretary of state in 2025.
In 2007, Gonzalez faced increasing bipartisan backlash for the Justice Department’s firing of multiple U.S. attorneys, as well as concerns regarding his silence during congressional inquiries about the nature of those firings. President Bush expressed disappointment over Gonzalez’s resignation, saying it was unfortunate that a capable man faced political attacks.
Gonzalez’s Senate hearings showcased considerable tension, with questions about his knowledge of department operations. He often responded with “I don’t remember” to numerous inquiries, which didn’t help his standing.
Sen. Chuck Schumer pointedly questioned Gonzalez’s lack of clarity about the firings of U.S. attorneys and their motivations. Despite his assertions that decisions within the DOJ were based on evidence, criticism continued to mount.
Ultimately, Gonzalez announced that he would resign on September 17, 2007, conveying his appreciation for his colleagues at the DOJ.
Jeff Sessions — Trump
Initially a staunch supporter of Trump, Jeff Sessions saw their relationship deteriorate over time. His recusal from the Trump-Russia investigation, due to his prior campaign support, infuriated the president.
Trump frequently vocalized his dissatisfaction with Sessions, especially concerning the decision to appoint former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel and a perceived inaction regarding prosecuting Hillary Clinton.
Sessions’ tenure concluded after the GOP lost the House during the 2018 midterms, but he left with a notable record of reversing Obama-era policies.
His dismissal prompted strong condemnation from Democrats, with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker labeling it as a troubling development nearing a constitutional crisis.
William Barr — Trump
William Barr resigned as attorney general in December 2020, amidst debates over alleged election fraud. Before serving under Trump, he had been attorney general under George H.W. Bush.
Trump tweeted about his “great meeting” with Barr and noted their strong working relationship in light of a “partisan onslaught” against his presidency.
In conversations after his resignation, Barr indicated he was prepared to step down due to Trump’s dissatisfaction and later remarked that Trump’s claims regarding election fraud incited the Capitol insurrection, though he distinguished that Trump’s actions did not constitute legal incitement.
Harry Dougherty — Harding and Coolidge
The modern era saw Harry Dougherty as the first attorney general to be dismissed, under President Warren Harding. A member of the “Ohio Gang,” Dougherty became embroiled in the Teapot Dome scandal, leading to significant public scrutiny.
Dougherty faced investigations not just for the Teapot Dome scandal but also for alleged misconduct during Prohibition. After Harding’s death in 1923, new President Calvin Coolidge ousted him from the Justice Department, aiming to restore public trust.
Dougherty was never convicted, but his removal marked a pivotal moment in the accountability of government officials.
