Obama calls Sherrod and offers his ‘regrets’

Shirley Sherrod got her wish: President Obama phoned her at 12:35 Eastern this afternoon to offer his own apology for the events that led to her firing from the Agriculture Department this week.

According to the White House, the two spoke for about seven minutes.

“The president expressed to Ms. Sherrod his regret about the events of the last several days,” a White House statement reads. Obama reiterated to Sherrod that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was “sincere in his apology” and in his efforts to “rid the USDA of discrimination.”

According to the White House, Obama told Sherrod “that this misfortune can present an opportunity for her to continue her hard work on behalf of those in need, and he hopes that she will do so.”