Presidential adviser Van Jones is resigning after coming under fire for signing a controversial petition regarding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The White House issued a statement late Saturday saying that Jones was giving up his post at the Council on Environmental Quality, where he helped coordinate government agencies focused on delivering millions of green jobs to the ailing U.S. economy.
Jones, who denied agreeing with the petition and issued an apology last week, said he was a victim of health-care reform opponents.
“On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me,” Jones said in the statement. “They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide.”
“But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future,” Jones said.
The Jones controversy centers on a 2004 petition he signed on a Web site that said: “A call for immediate inquiry into evidence that suggests high-level government officials may have deliberately allowed the September 11 attacks to occur.”
An administration source told CNN that Jones did not carefully review the language on the petition.
The following is the text of the resignation letter:
“I am resigning my post at the Council on Environmental Quality, effective today.
On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me. They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide.
I have been inundated with calls – from across the political spectrum – urging me to “stay and fight.”
But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future.
It has been a great honor to serve my country and my President in this capacity. I thank everyone who has offered support and encouragement. I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to the clean energy future. I will continue to do so, in the months and years ahead.”
(Source: CNN)
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9 Responses
what a noble fellow only worried about fighting for others. what a crock.maybe we could get our preisdent to resign as well
Very encouraging sign. It shows the right to this point, still has a voice. Just amazing though, that obama tried slipping this guy through.obama is hugo chavez||
Why can’t he just blame himself. This is what he should have said. “Due to public statements on record that I have made in the past it has become evident that I do not really represent the entire body of the american people but rather a particular minority and as such cannot legitimately serve on this post. “
CNN wouldn’t tell you that he’s a self proclaimed communist, and was arrested for rioting in LA after the Rodny King epizode… and more…
Bravo to FOX news and Glenn Beck!! One less true race-baiter. 1.12.13
Glad to see he’s gone! One more strike against Obama… see the left is trying to push that its because of the “Obamacare” bill but Van Jones is a “green Czar” not a health czar!!!
Good Riddance!
lets not mourn his “departure” from the white house. i dont believe he still doesnt have the president’s ear. the president said to judge him based on the people in his administration he surrounds himself with. so now mr president that we see you have surrounded yourself with communists whom you have appointed as czars, i guess we can say…. YOU ARE A COMMUNIST!!
Something is fishy about this. The petition he signed was in line with a valid concern and investigated, to some fair degree or another; we will never know. But, we are suppose to believe this man is so visible to opponents of health care reform that he just couldnt take it any longer and had to resign? May we have a slice of lemon or some tartar sauce for this story?