QUIET DEPARTURE

Commerce Secretary Bryson Resigns

To “prevent distractions” in the department.

Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. Commerce Secretary John Bryson, who recently went on medical leave following two bizarre car crashes earlier this month, one of which has been under investigation “as a felony hit and run,” resigned Thursday. In a letter to Commerce Department employees, Bryson wrote that he needed to “step down to prevent distractions” from the department’s “critical mission.” Bryson reportedly rear-ended a Buick on June 9, spoke to three men in the car that he hit, and then drove away after hitting the car again. Police say he hit another car five minutes later and was subsequently found unconscious in his own vehicle.