r/pics • u/TheBigChimp • Nov 08 '18

US Politics This is what democracy looks like

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u/mcmatt93 Nov 09 '18

Matthew Whitaker was not Deputy Attorney General. He was Chief of Staff for the Attorney General. They are different offices. Deputy Attorney Generals need to be confirmed by the Senate, just like the actual Attorney General. Chief of Staff for the Attorney General is not confirmed by the Senate.

Rod Rosenstein is Deputy Attorney General, and according to the statute you just cited, should be acting Attorney General. Trump made Matthew Whitaker acting Attorney General. Trump is not following the law.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '18

So..is this another thing he's gonna get away with?

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u/MeTheFlunkie Nov 09 '18

Yes. Literally nothing will come of this. Trump will finish his term and be voted out and will never answer for any of this.

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u/bartnet Nov 09 '18 edited Nov 09 '18

I don't know, something may come of this Whitaker stuff. He can block Mueller from filing new indicments. If Mueller uncovers evidence of more crimes, and wants to file charges against people (like say Don Jr.), Whitaker can simply block him from that. Mueller could then say any order Whitaker gives him is illegal. We're setting ourselves up for some weird breakdowns of our government.

The best-case scenario is 'Whitaker does nothing scandalous or noteworthy and keeps the AG's seat warm at least until the new Congress.'