President Clinton's choices to head Justice Department divisions handling civil rights and environmental affairs withdrew their names from consideration, reportedly for political and other reasons.
The White House wanted to nominate John Payton, the corporation counsel for the District of Columbia, but he withdrew his name from consideration for the post of assistant attorney general for civil rights.Gerald Torres, whom Clinton said he wanted to nominate as the assistant attorney general for environment and natural resources, withdrew Friday.
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The two withdrew Friday when they formally notified Attorney General Janet Reno of their decisions.