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You are watching a game of chess
President Trump and his Administration are 12 moves ahead of the cabal. I will explain, but first lets review some recent DoJ history:
Jeff Sessions: On November 18, 2016, President Trump nominated Jeff Sessions to become the 84th Attorney General of the United States. Mr. Sessions was confirmed by a very close 52-47 vote on February 8, 2017, and then sworn into office on February 9, 2017. On March 2, 2017, Mr. Sessions recused himself from Russia investigations. This was done by design - but that's another story.
Rod Rosenstein: On February 1, 2017, President Trump nominated Rod Rosenstein to serve as the Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Rosenstein was confirmed by the Senate on April 25, 2017, in a a very favorable 94-6 vote.
Noel Francisco: President Trump appointed Noel Francisco to the position of Solicitor General one year ago. Mr. Francisco was confirmed by the Senate in a very close vote (49-47) on September 19, 2017. Mr. Francisco was also sworn into office on September 19, 2017. Remember this date.
Who is Rachel Brand?
Rachel Brand served as Assistant Attorney General from May 22, 2017 to February 20, 2018 - a period of only nine months. The AAG is the third highest position in the DoJ. The MSM reported that Mrs. Brand resigned to accept a position at Walmart. There's more this story, but I'll leave it at this for now.
The 210 Day Clock
Succession within the DoJ is somewhat complicated, but I will break it down for you. Succession is determined by the Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 and DoJ Order 3777-2016 - the latter is a memo titled "Designating Certain Officials to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Attorney General" that was, ironically, penned by Loretta Lynch in 2016.
The Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 references Title 5 of US Code 3345 which says:
(a) If an officer of an Executive agency (including the Executive Office of the President, and other than the Government Accountability Office) whose appointment to office is required to be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office—
(1) the first assistant to the office of such officer shall perform the functions and duties of the office temporarily in an acting capacity subject to the time limitations of section 3346;
Enter Jesse Panuccio
Thus, when Rachel Brand resigned her position as AAG on February 20, 2017, Jesse Panuccio, her deputy, became the temporary AAG. The amount of time that Mr. Panuccio can serve as temporary AAG is defined in section 3346 which states:
(a) Except in the case of a vacancy caused by sickness, the person serving as an acting officer as described under section 3345 may serve in the office—
(1) for no longer than 210 days beginning on the date the vacancy occurs; or
Therefore, Jesse Panuccio can only serve as temporary AAG for 210 days. When does the 210 day clock expire? On September 18, 2018. So unless President Trump appoints someone else to become the next AAG over the next few hours, the DoJ's rules for succession will automatically determine who moves into the number 3 position in the DoJ. Who is this?