emptywheel

Instead, the next in line to be Acting AG if Rosenstein is out is Noel Francisco. That’s as opposed to replacing Sessions, where the replacement would become Acting AG themselves...

Steve’s view — that Francisco would be acting AG for Mueller — appears to be the view that DOJ/OLC is taking. But the contrary view, i.e. that Pruitt could come in and be a double-acting, is sufficiently plausible that if Trump insisted on it he could probably get away with it.

Sure, but if Trump wants Mueller out that badly, why not avoid the issue by firing _Sessions_, and replacing _him_ with someone like Pruitt?

There may be a higher cost to Trump — espec among GOP members of Congress — if he fires Sessions

Yep. Which suggests the "better" move from Trump's POV would be to fire Rosenstein, then name an acting for DAG who's either a confirmed sub-cabinet official or a political appointee at DOJ who's served there at least a year.

That person (Acting DAG) probably would not exercise AG's authority for Russia investigation -- Francisco would.

I'm of the view the Vacancies Act can be employed here (even for a fired DAG). So how someone can be Acting and yet not have the full authority of an Acting, I don't know.

Yes, VRA can be employed for DAG. But Acting DAG can't exercise functions of AG.