US Attorney General Michael Mukasey speaks in San Jose, Calif. in this March 28, 2008 file photo, [Agencies]

U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed on Thursday when he was delivering a speech in Washington, D.C., CNN reported.

The 67-year-old collapsed when he spoke before the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy on the topic of the national security at a hotel at night, according to the report.

The emergency medical personnel arrived on site to treat him before he was taken to hospital, it said.

According to the Justice Department officials, Mukasey got stuck on a word about 15 or 20 minutes after he began his speech, and started shaking.

He was on the stage for about 10 minutes before medics arrived, and he was still breathing and appeared to be talking at the time, said the officials who was there.

On his way to the hospital, Mukasey was seen regaining consciousness but the hospital has not disclosed any details about the cause for his collapse.

The retired federal judge was nominated to lead the Justice Department by President George W. Bush in September, 2007, and confirmed by Congress two months later.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said that President George W. Bush was informed about Mukasey's collapse.

"The president has him in his thoughts and will be kept apprised and hopes that he will be back up," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2008)