DOJ Second-in-Command Is Leaving
The Justice Department’s second-in-command is resigning after less than a year on the job.
Deputy Attorney General David Ogden announced his resignation today without elaborating on the reason for his departure, according to The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times.
Ogden joined the Justice Department as deputy attorney general in March. He had been a WilmerHale partner and had chaired the Obama administration’s transition team for DOJ.
Ogden plans to return to private practice in February, according to a press release posted at The BLT. He will return to WilmerHale.
Attorney General Eric Holder told The BLT that Ogden’s decision was a personal one. “He worked really hard during the transition and worked hard during his year here, and he has a desire to get back to private life,” Holder said.
In the press release, Ogden said he took a leave of absence from private practice with the intention of returning after his goals for the Justice Department transition had been achieved.
“I believe the objectives established over a year ago have been accomplished,” he said. He identified four accomplishments: The department’s law enforcement mission has been “reinvigorated.” The department has taken steps to protect security while abiding by the rule of law. The department’s strong relationship with local law enforcement has been “substantially restored.” And a strong leadership team is in place.
Two of Ogden’s friends speculated about his reason for leaving in interviews with the Washington Post. They said Ogden was recently hospitalized for a painful bout of appendicitis, and that may have spurred him to think about his future.
The Post also says Ogden did not have an extensive background in criminal justice issues and he “sometimes crossed swords” with aides to Attorney General Eric Holder.
Ogden had been criticized during his confirmation hearings for representing Playboy and a company that distributes adult mail-order products.
Updated at 10:15 a.m. to include information from the Washington Post and at 12:45 p.m. to include additional information published by The BLT.
