[JURIST] US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) [official website] told reporters Wednesday he would lead opposition to the nomination of former US Solicitor General Theodore Olson [firm profile; DOJ profile] to the post of US attorney general. Olson was mentioned as a potential candidate [JURIST report] on a short list floated by the White House earlier this week, but Senate Democrats consider Olson to be overly partisan. Reid threatened to invoke a procedural barrier that would require 60 votes to overcome if necessary to block Olson's confirmation. Reuters has more.

US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales [official profile; JURIST news archive] announced his resignation [letter, PDF; JURIST report] on August 27, saying that it will take effect on September 17 [JURIST report]. His resignation followed months of controversy over the Justice Department's handling of the firings of eight US Attorneys [JURIST news archive] and subsequent allegations that he may have perjured himself [JURIST report] in testimony before Congress. Current Solicitor General Paul Clement [official profile] will serve as acting attorney general until the Senate confirms a new permanent official.