It is barely a week since the United States re-elected its president but already the Bush cabinet has seen its first departures. US Attorney General John Ashcroft has stepped down with a “mission accomplished” message. In a resignation letter, he announced that “the objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved.” Commerce Secretary Don Evans has also bowed out.

Neither resignation was a surprise to those in the know in Washington and many predict that further cabinet changes could be on the way. It is believed that Secretary of State Colin Powell will throw in the towel before long and there is speculation that Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld may be replaced. George W. Bush has set the scene for a second term reshuffle within his inner circle, telling journalists that change is “inevitable.”

Copyright © 2012 euronews