Porn-Fighter Ashcroft Resigns

WASHINGTON — Attorney General John Ashcroft, known for his aggressive stance on obscenity and pornography in particular, resigned Tuesday evening.

Ashcroft, in a five-page, handwritten letter to President Bush, said that “the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration."

The Justice Department czar, however, had been suffering from health problems earlier this year that resulted in removal of his gall bladder.

During Ashcroft’s years, the online adult community has been under threat of prosecutions, as well as planned changes to rules under the so-called 2257 regulations.

In the most prominent indictment in the Justice Department's effort to resurrect the aggressive obscenity prosecutions of the 1970s and '80s, regulators under Ashcroft’s tenure indicted the owners of Extreme Associates, which broadcast over the Internet explicit sex scenes coupled with simulated rapes. That case is still being adjudicated in Pennsylvania.

Ashcroft, 62, also was responsible for retaining the services of anti-porn veteran Bruce Taylor, who has helped prosecute more than 700 obscenity courses in his career. He also influenced Bush and Congress to earmark at least $4 million more of the Justice Department’s budget to fight pornography.

Speculation about a successor to Ashcroft has focused on his former deputy, Larry Thompson, who recently took a job as general counsel at PepsiCo.

Thompson would be the nation's first black attorney general. Others prominently mentioned include former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot and White House general counsel Alberto Gonzales.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Pastelle Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Pastelle has made her TransAngels debut alongside Ali Rush in "Royal Sucksession."

A Day With Mike Quasar: Porn, Pets and Wit That Won't Quit

Mike Quasar has been working in the adult industry for 34 years. The highly respected veteran director admits to feeling a little astonished by this fact.

Kelly Holland's Industry Animal Rescue Charity Event 'Vice Is Nice' Returns Saturday

The 13th annual Vice Is Nice event, a long-standing adult industry fundraiser for Animal Rescue Alliance (TARA), will take place Saturday in Chatsworth.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Angela White Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Angela White stars with Scott Nails in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Brazzers Beach."

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

Show More