Day 659: Trump conveniently forgets he’s buddies with the acting attorney general overseeing Mueller probe

The acting attorney general has also spoken out forcefully against the Mueller probe in the past.

Donald Trump forced the resignation of his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, Wednesday. With that, rather than naming the Senate-confirmed deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, to be the acting attorney general while a permanent replacement is chosen, Trump peculiarly tapped Sessions’ chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, to the role.

There are serious questions regarding the legality of Trump’s interim appointment since he was not confirmed by the Senate.

One reason — perhaps the only reason — Whitaker appears to have been selected is the Robert Mueller probe. Rosenstein, was overseeing the investigation since Sessions had to recuse himself. However, he is no longer has that responsibility since Whitaker did not have to recuse himself.

Whitaker has been a vocal critical of the investigation and has been friendly with Trump, despite Trump’s public animus with Sessions.

Mr. Whitaker has also visited the Oval Office several times and is said to have an easy chemistry with the president, according to people familiar with the relationship. And the president has regarded Mr. Whitaker as his eyes and ears at the Justice Department.

Mr. Whitaker has publicly sided with Mr. Trump in saying that the investigation led by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is an overreach. That has raised questions about what changes Mr. Whitaker could make to Mr. Mueller’s mandate, particularly changes that might benefit Mr. Trump.

Considering all of that, there are questions whether the Whitaker appointment — legally questionable as it may be — is being used to erode the Mueller probe. This is especially true as news circulated this week that Mueller’s final report is currently being drafted.

Trying to put some daylight between himself and Whitaker, Trump claimed Friday that he doesn’t know him personally. However, that’s belied by their many previous interactions and Trump’s own words just last month.

It appears that Trump illegally chose an unqualified crony to oversee the Mueller probe as it is nearing its conclusion. The investigation could — and most likely will — lead to more indictments for Trump’s family members, friends, current and former staffers and even himself, absent intervening factors.

Trump may have found one.

659 days in, 803 to go

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