Rumsfeld Steps Down As U.S. Defense Secretary
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (file photo) (epa)
Bush told reporters that "after a series of thoughtful conversations, Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that the timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon."
Bush said he had offered Rumsfeld's post to a former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Robert Gates.
Asked whether there would be a new direction in Iraq, Bush replied, "Well, there's certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon."
(compiled from agency reports)