Ashcroft Leaves Hospital

Attorney General John Ashcroft was released from the hospital Sunday, five days after surgery to remove his gallbladder.

Ashcroft, 61, will stay in his Washington home for some "quiet rest" as he continues to recuperate, Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said.

Deputy Attorney General James Comey will continue to run the department until Ashcroft returns.

Ashcroft was admitted March 4 to George Washington University Hospital, suffering from a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis. The gallbladder was removed to prevent a recurrence of the sometimes-fatal illness.