Typically, the writer of this article is lying. I watched the exchange between DiFi and Ashcroft and her question was not about renewing, but about "strengthening" the law (whatever that means). Ashcroft responded that he and the President supported the law "as written" and wouldn't be looking to strengthen it if it gets reauthorized.
Notice how there is no direct Ashcroft quote making the writer's point. This is an article to enflame the gun-haters.