Bush Administration Official Withdraws Nomination for Job at Homeland Security

A former Bush administration official who was familiar with the enhanced interrogation methods used on terror detainees withdrew his name for consideration Friday for a post in the Department of Homeland Security.

Philip Mudd was nominated May 4 for a position as undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at DHS, a key counterterrorism position that would have been a new post.

Mudd previously had served as deputy director of the CIA's Office of Terrorism Analysis during the Bush administration, and was knowledgeable about the process of interrogations, renditions and intelligence gathering.

"Today I am announcing that I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration to be the Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis. I know that this position will require the full cooperation with Congress and I believe that if I continue to move forward I will become a distraction to the president and his vital agenda," Mudd said in a statement released by the White House.

Senate Democrats recently raised questions about whether Mudd would support claims about the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques. During the confirmation process, it was expected that Republicans would have grilled Mudd about his involvement in interrogations and the effectiveness of "enhanced" tactics.

The White House said it was Mudd's decision to withdraw.

"It is with sadness and regret that the President accepted Phil's withdrawal from consideration as Phil once again demonstrated his duty to country above all things," said spokesman Nick Shapiro.

But Rep. Pete Hoekstra, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said Mudd's case gives ex-CIA officials reason for concern.

"Phil Mudd did his job to help keep this nation safe in the years after 9/11 and today he is unfairly paying a political price. A chill wind is blowing through the intelligence community as operatives and analysts are now being forced to consider shifting political sands along with the national security decisions they make," Hoekstra, R-Mich., said.

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis continues to be led by Bart Johnson, a DHS official said.

FOX News' Jim Angle contributed to this report.