Matt Whitaker's Acting Attorney General Appointment Is Legal, Justice Department Says

The Justice Department released a memo justifying the appointment of its Acting Attorney General. The memo responded to Maryland state officials challenging the appointment of Matt Whitaker. They argue President Donald Trump bypassed the constitution in replacing Jeff Sessions. They claimed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is the rightful successor under the law. But the memo says the move is consistent with the constitution, federal statutes, and past precedent. Trump appointed Whitaker to temporarily oversee the DOJ after Sessions was asked to resign. Oversight of the DOJ includes authority over special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.