JUSTICE DEPARTMENT/ROBERT MUELLER/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The Trump administration has put its search for the Justice Department’s No. 3 official on the back burner after failing to persuade several early candidates to take the challenging position, according to people familiar with the matter. The delay in filling the post is the latest sign of the difficulties besetting the agency, which lacks permanent, politically appointed leaders to oversee at least five high-profile units, including the criminal, civil and tax divisions. Without any immediate candidate ready to sign onto the job of associate attorney general, the administration is instead focusing on other vacancies. Department officials say the delays have strained resources and limited the agency’s ability to fully enact and implement new policies. The Justice Department declined to comment. The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The associate attorney general position could be particularly important. If Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein departs, the associate would potentially oversee special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian electoral meddling. If the position remains unfilled, the task would likely fall to solicitor general Noel Francisco, whose usual job is arguing before the Supreme Court.”
-Sadie Gurman and Aruna Viswanatha, “Trump Administration Sidelines Effort to Appoint Justice Department No. 3,” The Wall Street Journal, June 5, 2018 10:19 am