What was the play here and what is the likely outcome ? Craig Carpenito vs Audrey Strauss
Original Bill Barr statement
According to the DOJ release Berman is being replaced by the nomination of Jay Clayton, currently the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, “CRAIG CARPENITO, currently the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, will serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, while the Senate is considering Jay Clayton’s nomination.”
Geoffrey S. Berman throws a fit and gets himself fired ( does that change or limit the order of succession)
Lawyer maneuvering ?
Bars response: Barr stated that the president had fired Berman, adding "By operation of law, the Deputy United States Attorney, AUDREY STRAUSS, will become the Acting United States Attorney," serving until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Berman then agreed to step down.
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Acting-New-York-U-S-attorney-Audrey-Strauss-15354746.php
Audrey Strauss, deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, who just in the past year took over the office's investigations into President Donald Trump's business and campaign finances, will now serve as the top prosecutor following the sudden firing of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman.
"By operation of law, the Deputy United States Attorney, Audrey Strauss, will become the Acting United States Attorney, and I anticipate that she will serve in that capacity until a permanent successor is in place," Attorney General William Barr wrote in a letter Saturday informing Berman of his termination.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a statement that he had "confidence" that Strauss "will continue running SDNY in a professional and ethical manner."
"Ms. Strauss is widely viewed as a highly competent, highly capable Deputy U.S. Attorney with the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running," Graham said.