[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 43 (Monday, October 31, 2005)]
[Page 1619]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Resignation of the Vice President's Chief of Staff
I. Lewis Libby

October 28, 2005

    Today I accepted the resignation of Scooter Libby. Scooter has 
worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people and sacrificed much 
in the service to this country. He served the Vice President and me 
through extraordinary times in our Nation's history.
    Special Counsel Fitzgerald's investigation and ongoing legal 
proceedings are serious, and now the proceedings--the process moves into 
a new phase. In our system, each individual is presumed innocent and 
entitled to due process and a fair trial.
    While we're all saddened by today's news, we remain wholly focused 
on the many issues and opportunities facing this country. I've got a job 
to do and so do the people who work in the White House. We've got a job 
to protect the American people, and that's what we'll continue working 
hard to do.
    I look forward to working with Congress on policies to keep this 
economy moving. And pretty soon, I'll be naming somebody to the Supreme 
Court.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 3:51 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. 
Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Department of Justice 
CIA leak investigation Special Prosecutor.