who was acting attorney general when trump took office

by Dulce Pollich 10 min read

Matthew Whitaker
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyRod Rosenstein
Preceded byJeff Sessions
Succeeded byWilliam Barr
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Who was the Attorney General during the Clinton administration?

May 26, 2020 · Matthew George Whitaker (born October 29, 1969) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the acting United States Attorney General from November 7, 2018, to February 14, 2019.

Who is the current Acting Attorney General?

Apr 08, 2020 · Took office Left office Notes Attorney General: Jeff Sessions: February 8, 2017 November 7, 2018 Resigned at the request of President Trump. Replaced temporarily with Matthew Whitaker. William Barr. February 14, 2019 December 23, 2020 Resigned. President Trump announced Barr's departure in December and the Attorney General subsequently …

How many US attorneys have been appointed by President Trump?

On January 30, 2017, Trump appointed Dana Boente, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as acting Attorney General until Jeff Sessions' Senate confirmation. Boente had replaced Sally Yates who was fired by Trump for ordering the Justice Department to not defend Trump's Executive Order 13769 which restricted entry to the United States. [146]

Was Trump's new attorney general obsessed with Clinton's emails?

During Trump's term, just seven U.S. attorneys named were women, including acting attorneys, and just one of his first 42 appointments was a woman. ... District Attorney Assumed office Left office Alabama U.S. Attorney for the M.D. of Alabama: Louis V. Franklin Sr. September 21, 2017 February 26, 2021 U.S. Attorney for the N.D. of Alabama ...

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Who was the attorney general when Trump was in office?

William Pelham Barr (born May 23, 1950) is an American attorney who served as the 77th and 85th United States attorney general in the administrations of Presidents George H. W. Bush and Donald Trump.

Who is the US acting attorney general?

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was sworn in as the 86th Attorney General of the United States on March 11, 2021. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department's 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide.May 5, 2022

Who was Attorney General in the 1980s?

August 12, 1988 – August 15, 1991: Richard L. Thornburgh, a Republican, served as the 76th U.S. attorney general, appointed by Ronald Reagan, and served in both the Reagan and the George H.W.

Who was the last US Attorney General?

List of U.S. attorneys general
Attorney GeneralYears of service
Merrick Garland2021-Present
Loretta Lynch2015-2017
Eric Holder2009-2015
Michael B. Mukasey2007-2009
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Why did Whitaker join Trump's legal team?

Trump saw Whitaker's supportive commentaries on CNN in the summer of 2017, and in July White House counsel Don McGahn interviewed Whitaker to join Trump's legal team as an "attack dog" against Robert Mueller, who was heading the Special Counsel investigation. Trump associates believe Whitaker was later hired to limit the fallout of the investigation, including by reining in any Mueller report and preventing Trump from being subpoenaed. On November 13, a DOJ spokesperson said that Whitaker would seek advice from ethics officials at the Department of Justice (DOJ) about whether a recusal from overseeing the Russia investigation was warranted.

Who is William Barr?

On December 7, 2018, Trump nominated William Barr for Attorney General. The legality of Whitaker's appointment as acting U.S. Attorney General was challenged in multiple lawsuits, and questioned by legal scholars, commentators, and politicians. On February 15, 2019, after Barr was sworn in on the previous day, Whitaker became a senior counselor in the Office of the Associate Attorney General; he resigned from the Justice Department on March 2, 2019. After leaving the Justice Department, Whitaker became a guest on news and analysis shows, and was affiliated with the law firm of Graves Garrett. In August 2019, he became a managing director at Axiom Strategies and Clout Public Affairs.

Did Whitaker have a subpoena?

In 2017, FTC investigators examined whether Whitaker had played any role in making threats of legal action to silence the company's critics. Whitaker rebuffed an FTC subpoena for records in October 2017, shortly after he had joined the Department of Justice.

Who was the acting attorney general of the United States in 2017?

For example, upon the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch left her position, so then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, who had also tendered her resignation, was asked to stay on to serve as the acting attorney general until the confirmation of the new attorney general Jeff Sessions, who had been nominated for the office in November 2016 by then- President-elect Donald Trump.

Who was the attorney general nominee for Clinton?

Gerson was fourth in the line of succession at the Justice Department, but other senior DOJ officials had already resigned.[14] Janet Reno, President Clinton's nominee for attorney general, was confirmed on March 12,[15]and he resigned the same day.

What was the purpose of the Attorney General's Office?

The original duties of this officer were "to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law when required by the president of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments". Some of these duties have since been transferred to the United States solicitor general and the White House counsel .

How much does an attorney general make in 2021?

Attorney General is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule, thus earning a salary of US$ 221,400, as of January 2021.

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United Stateson all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

When does the Attorney General have to resign?

Presidential transition[edit] It is the practice for the attorney general, along with the other Cabinet secretaries and high-level political appointees of the President, to tender a resignation with effect on the Inauguration Day(January 20) of a new president.

When was the Department of Justice established?

The Department of Justice was established in 1870 to support the attorneys general in the discharge of their responsibilities.

When did the Attorney General resign in 2021?

January 8 , 2021. Resignation announced by the Department of Justice on January 7 , 2021. The New York Times noted that his resignation did not specifically refer to the events of the prior day. Assistant Attorney General.

What does "appointee" mean in the Senate?

Denotes appointees serving in offices that did not require Senate confirmation. Denotes appointees confirmed by the Senate. Denotes appointees serving in an acting capacity. Denotes appointees who have left office or offices which have been disbanded.

What was Trump's first act as president?

One of Donald Trump's first acts as president was the approval of Mattis's waiver to become Secretary of Defense. After being confirmed by the Senate on the evening of January 20, 2017, by a vote of 98–1, Mattis was sworn in by Vice President Pence on the same evening.

Who is the Secretary of Agriculture?

Sonny Perdue. On January 18, 2017, Sonny Perdue, former governor of Georgia, was selected to be the Secretary of Agriculture. On April 24, 2017, Perdue was confirmed by the Senate in an 87–11 vote. He served until the end of the Trump administration, on January 20, 2021.

Why are some cabinet members not able to take office?

Despite being nominated promptly during the transition period, most cabinet members were unable to take office on Inauguration Day because of delays in the formal confirmation process. By February 8, 2017, President Trump had fewer cabinet nominees confirmed than any prior president two weeks into his mandate, except George Washington. Part of the lateness was ascribed to opposition by Senate Democrats and part to delays in submitting background-check paperwork. The final initial Cabinet member to take office, Robert Lighthizer, took office as U.S. Trade Representative on May 11, 2017, more than four months after his nomination.

When was Tom Price confirmed?

Trump's selection of Representative Tom Price from Georgia was officially announced on November 28, 2016. Price was confirmed by the Senate on February 10, 2017 , in a 52–47 vote along party lines, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against.

When was Wilbur Ross confirmed?

On February 27, 2017, he was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 72–27 vote. He assumed office on February 28, 2017, and left office at the end of the Trump administration.

Who was the Treasury Secretary in 2016?

Trump announced the selection of investment banker Steve Mnuchin as Secretary of the Treasury on November 30, 2016. The New York Times noted that Mnuchin's selection was surprising, since Trump had attacked the banking industry and Goldman Sachs during the campaign. Mnuchin is the third Goldman alumnus to serve as treasury secretary.

Who is the new ambassador to the United Nations?

On February 22, 2019, Ambassador Kelly Craft was nominated by President Donald Trump to replace Nikki Haley, who had resigned two months prior, as his envoy to the United Nations. Heather Nauert, reportedly the first choice, had withdrawn herself from consideration. Craft was confirmed on July 31, 2019.

Who is Biden's attorney general?

President Biden's pick for attorney general, Merrick Garland, waves before addressing staff on his first day at the Department of Justice, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP) ( (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP))

Who is the acting director of EOUSA?

Wilkinson will take over at the helm for Norman Wong, who had been serving as the acting director of EOUSA since President Biden took office. Wong will return as principal deputy director. As is typical when a new administration comes in, the Biden administration in February asked Trump-era U.S. attorneys to resign from their posts.

Will the President make an announcement regarding Senate nominations?

The Justice Department said the president will make an announcement regarding nominations to the Senate "as that information becomes available."

Who was the secretary of veterans affairs after Trump fired David Shulkin?

Robert Wilkie was selected as the secretary of veterans affairs after Trump fired David Shulkin.

Who was the survivor during Trump's first State of the Union address?

Fun fact: Perdue was the designated survivor during Trump’s first official State of the Union address.

How many departments does Trump have in his cabinet?

But his Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments and others, such as the vice president and White House chief of staff, hasn’t remained the same since he took office.

Who is the director of the Office of Management and Budget?

Mick Mulvaney is the director of the Office of Management and Budget. Trump also appointed Mulvaney to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after its leader quit in November 2017.

Who is the secretary of health and human services?

Alex Azar , secretary of health and human services. Alex Azar is the second person President Trump has picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts) Alex Azar is the 24th health and human services secretary.

Who is the 77th Secretary of the Treasury?

Steven Mnuchin, secretary of the treasury. Steven Mnuchin is the 77th secretary of the Treasury Department. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) Steven Mnuchin is the 77th secretary of the Treasury Department. In his role, Mnuchin oversees the department that is seen as the steward of economic and financial systems in the U.S.

Who is the acting director of the EPA?

President Trump picked Andrew Wheeler to be the acting director of the EPA after Scott Pruitt resigned. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Who is the attorney that resigned from the Trump administration?

Mr. Horowitz has already opened an investigation into whether Trump administration officials improperly pressured Byung J. Pak, who abruptly resigned this month as the U.S. attorney in Atlanta after being pressed to take actions related to the election, according to a person briefed on the inquiry. Mr. Durbin is investigating that matter as well.

Who discussed the plan with Trump?

Mr. Perry and Mr. Clark also discussed the plan with Mr. Trump, setting off a chain of events that nearly led to the ouster of Mr. Rosen, who had refused to send the letter.

What did the congressman's involvement underline?

The congressman’s involvement underlined how far the former president was willing to go to overturn the election, and Democratic lawmakers have begun calling for investigations into those efforts.

What was Donald Trump's duty as president?

Trump’s duty as president was to ensure that “laws be faithfully executed for the benefit of the country,” and efforts to interfere in the election could be considered a violation of his constitutional duty, said Neil Eggleston, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a White House counsel under President Barack Obama.

Who met Perry before Trump?

It is unclear when Mr. Perry, who represents the Harrisburg area, met Mr. Clark, a Philadelphia native, or how well they knew each other before the introduction to Mr. Trump. Former Trump administration officials said that it was only in late December that Mr. Clark told Mr. Rosen about the introduction brokered by Mr. Perry, who was among the scores of people feeding Mr. Trump false hope that he had won the election.

Did Perry resign?

Facing calls to resign over his role in the efforts to overturn the election, Mr. Perry issued a one-word response: “No.”. Mr. Perry, a retired brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and an Iraq War veteran, has been scrutinized for his openness to the conspiratorial.

Who called on the Justice Department to investigate sedition?

He called on the department’s inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, to investigate “this attempted sedition.”.

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Early Life, Education, and College Football Career

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Matthew George Whitaker was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 29, 1969. He graduated from Ankeny High School, where he was a football star. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame in 2009. Whitaker attended the University of Iowa, receiving a bachelor's degree in communications in 1991 and …
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Career

  • After graduating from law school, Whitaker lived in Minneapolis, Minnesotafrom 1995 to 2001, before moving back to Iowa.
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Legal and Policy Views

  • Constitutional issues
    Whitaker stated in a question-and-answer session during his 2014 Iowa Senatorial campaign that "the courts are supposed to be the inferior branch". Whitaker was critical of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803), the decision that allows judicial review of the con…
  • Criticisms of 2017 Special Counsel investigation
    During the months prior to joining the Justice Department as Jeff Sessions' chief of staff in September 2017, Whitaker made several statements critical of the Mueller investigation, of which he assumed oversight responsibility upon being appointed Acting Attorney General in Novembe…
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Writings

  • Above the Law: The Inside Story of How the Justice Department Tried to Subvert President Trump. Regnery Publishing. 2020. ISBN 978-1684510498.
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External Links

Overview

The United States attorney general (AG) leads the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief lawyer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

Presidential transition

It is the practice for the attorney general, along with the other Cabinet secretaries and high-level political appointees of the President, to tender a resignation with effect on the Inauguration Day (January 20) of a new president. The deputy attorney general is also expected to tender a resignation, but is commonly requested to stay on and act as the attorney general pending the confirmation by the Senate of the new attorney general.

History

Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 which, among other things, established the Office of the Attorney General. The original duties of this officer were "to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law when required by the president of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments". Some of these duties have since been transferred to the U…

Line of succession

U.S.C. Title 28, §508 establishes the first two positions in the line of succession, while allowing the attorney general to designate other high-ranking officers of the Department of Justice as subsequent successors. Furthermore, an Executive Order defines subsequent positions, the most recent from March 31, 2017, signed by President Donald Trump. The current line of succession is:
1. United States Deputy Attorney General

See also

• Executive Order 13787 for "Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice"