Bush's Choice for Security Post Pulls Out
WASHINGTON — Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik on Friday abruptly withdrew himself from consideration as the nation's next Homeland Security chief, saying he had determined that a former household employee might have been an illegal immigrant.
Kerik's unexpected withdrawal cast a temporary cloud over President Bush's second-term Cabinet, and appeared likely to revive the contentious issues raised by the "nannygate" disclosures that derailed two of former President Clinton's high-level nominees.
The debate could be particularly awkward because Kerik was Bush's choice to head the department charged with enforcing the nation's immigration laws, including policing the borders to prevent foreign nationals from crossing illegally.
"Commissioner Kerik informed the White House this evening that he is withdrawing his name for personal reasons from consideration for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," the White House said in a statement. "The president respects his decision, and wishes Commissioner Kerik and his wife, Hala, well."
Kerik said in a statement he had learned of the potential immigration law violation as he was completing documents required for the Senate confirmation process.
"I uncovered information that now leads me to question the immigration status of a person who had been in my employ as a housekeeper and nanny," Kerik said. "It has also been brought to my attention that for a period of time during such employment required tax payments and related filings had not been made."
He said the inevitable controversy over the worker would "only serve as a significant and unnecessary distraction to the vital efforts of the Department of Homeland Security."
In addition to the possible immigration law violation, Kerik in recent days has contended with news reports focusing on his business dealings since he left the New York Police Department in 2001, including his ties to a stun-gun maker that has sold weapons to the Department of Homeland Security.
Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani called Kerik's withdrawal "very unfortunate" but said he had no choice.
"Bernie made a mistake
The nanny situation was "a recent one
Giuliani said he believed that it was two nights ago that Kerik "first realized there was a problem here. And he spent most of the day Thursday going through it, came to the conclusion that there was a real problem and reported it to the White House."
