The predecessor of Ashcroft was Janet Reno, who served as the United States Attorney General from 1993 to 2001. She was the first woman to hold the position and was appointed by President Bill Clinton. During her tenure, she was responsible for a number of high-profile cases, including the Waco siege and the Elian Gonzalez case. She also oversaw the investigation into the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.