You're reading: White House apologizes to ousted worker

WASHINGTON (AP) — An embarrassed White House has apologized to a black Agriculture Department employee who was ousted for her remarks about race, acknowledging that officials did not know all the facts when she was fired.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called the dismissal of Shirley Sherrod an injustice and a mistake. He said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was trying to reach her Wednesday to extend the administration’s apology.