Ashcroft, 62, is described as exhausted from leading the Justice Department in fighting the domestic war on terrorism since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Stress was a factor in Ashcroft’s health problems earlier this year that resulted in removal of his gall bladder.

Ashcroft is expected to resign before Bush’s Jan. 20 inauguration, said aides who spoke on condition of anonymity. They said there is a small chance he would stay on, at least for a short time, if Bush asked him.