Attorney General Gonzales sworn in

Alberto Gonzales was formally sworn in yesterday as the nation’s 80th attorney general — the first Hispanic to hold the office — saying the Justice Department would work “tirelessly” to combat terrorism and protect the rights of citizens.

At a Justice Department ceremony attended by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, Mr. Gonzales said he welcomed the opportunity to “stand shoulder to shoulder, side by side with each of you to preserve our heritage, rich in liberty and justice for all.”

“America is my home. I believe in her promise, and I will do what I can to secure that promise for future generations of our children,” he said.

Confirmed by the Senate on a 60-36 vote after a contentious confirmation hearing — during which Democrats accused him, as White House counsel, of helping shape Bush administration policies that led to the abuse of U.S. military detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq — Mr. Gonzales said he would “do my best on behalf of the American people to fulfill the confidence and trust reflected in my appointment.”

“There has been much discussion during my confirmation about the appropriate role of the attorney general, certainly an important and legitimate debate about the individual viewed by many as the primary guardian of our rights and protector of our freedoms,” he said.

“Undeniably, the attorney general is a member of the president’s Cabinet, a part of his team, but the attorney general represents also the American people, and his first allegiance must always be to the Constitution of the United States,” he said.

While declaring his independence from the White House, he is expected to bring three of his top aides from the White House counsel’s office to serve with him at Justice: Ted Ullyot as his chief of staff, D. Kyle Sampson as deputy chief of staff and Raul Yanes as counselor.

Mr. Bush, who called Mr. Gonzales “a close adviser, an honorable public servant and a dear friend,” also paid tribute to former Attorney General John Ashcroft, who was in the audience, saying he started the Justice Department on the “right course in the war on terror,” helped reduce violent crime to a 30-year low, took vital new steps to protect children from exploitation, and worked tirelessly to make the nation safer and more just.

“Attorney General Gonzales now joins every employee at the Department of Justice in an urgent mission: to protect the United States from another terrorist attack. Few periods in our history have demanded so much of this department,” he said.

“With Al’s principled leadership, the Department of Justice will continue this important mission and will defend the security of all Americans and the liberty of all Americans.”

Mr. Bush also defended the USA Patriot Act, one of the cornerstones of the Ashcroft regime, saying the law — passed by Congress in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks — had been “vital to our success in tracking terrorists and disrupting their plans.”

He noted that the act is set to expire at the end of this year, saying Congress should move promptly to renew all its provisions to protect the American people.

“Our nation is grateful for your dedication and sacrifice, and in return, we must provide you all the tools you need to do your job. And one of those tools is the Patriot Act, which has been vital to our success in tracking terrorists and disrupting their plans,” Mr. Bush said. “We must not allow the passage of time or the illusion of safety to weaken our resolve in this new war.”

Sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who reminded those in attendance that she, too, was a Texas native, Mr. Gonzales also honored Mr. Ashcroft, saying that “tremendous strides in the war on terrorism” had been accomplished under his leadership.

“Like John, I am but one instrument in our battle for freedom and the protection of our rights, and I am confident that in the days and years ahead, we in the department will work together tirelessly to address terrorism and other threats to our nation, and to confront injustice with integrity and devotion to our highest ideals,” Mr. Gonzales said.