From the analysis I've seen this is the position that gives legal advice on using NSA gathered information (which, spoiler alert, is all the information) in trials.
Also cramming him in there at the last minute would make it problematic for Biden to just put his own guy in there right away.
I disagree with the second point. Biden will not have a problem getting rid of the guy, unless they are already involved in some public investigation/trial.
The ONLY reason this appointment would happen is because they plan to use him. Which indicates Biden won't be president. At the very least, they will publicly release evidence before the 20th and need compete NSA cooperation.
I feel the same way. "Burrowing" - or embedding political appointees into positions where an incoming administration can't quickly dislodge them - is a thing. But this is not a normal political transition and the enemy's enthusiasm for purging anyone Trump has ever said hello to means they must know this isn't business as usual...
Whatever the reason, it looks like they've succeeded in putting that particular piece in place, at least.
The NSA's own description of their "office of the general counsel" is of course pretty vague and anodyne: About the NSA OGC
However, all those sorts of positions are responsible for putting together cover-your-ass analyses whenever the question of "hey, can we legally do this?" comes up.
Also of note is the fact that Ellis was actually put forward for the position in November at the same time Trump was making similar changes to advisory groups inside the DoD. This most recent thing was Miller overriding NSA slow-walking of the appointment.
"Within days of Ellis’ being picked for the job in November, which came shortly after President Donald Trump fired then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper via Twitter..." ABC News
Thanks for the response. I’m working from
Phone ATM and limited in making sauce. Usual govspeak from office of general counsel. I concur that would be the entity to clear anything to be used in a trial/tribunal.
From the analysis I've seen this is the position that gives legal advice on using NSA gathered information (which, spoiler alert, is all the information) in trials.
Also cramming him in there at the last minute would make it problematic for Biden to just put his own guy in there right away.
What does it mean? Heck if I know.
I disagree with the second point. Biden will not have a problem getting rid of the guy, unless they are already involved in some public investigation/trial.
The ONLY reason this appointment would happen is because they plan to use him. Which indicates Biden won't be president. At the very least, they will publicly release evidence before the 20th and need compete NSA cooperation.
I feel the same way. "Burrowing" - or embedding political appointees into positions where an incoming administration can't quickly dislodge them - is a thing. But this is not a normal political transition and the enemy's enthusiasm for purging anyone Trump has ever said hello to means they must know this isn't business as usual...
Whatever the reason, it looks like they've succeeded in putting that particular piece in place, at least.
Got any sauce? This smells mighty good!
The NSA's own description of their "office of the general counsel" is of course pretty vague and anodyne: About the NSA OGC
However, all those sorts of positions are responsible for putting together cover-your-ass analyses whenever the question of "hey, can we legally do this?" comes up.
Also of note is the fact that Ellis was actually put forward for the position in November at the same time Trump was making similar changes to advisory groups inside the DoD. This most recent thing was Miller overriding NSA slow-walking of the appointment.
"Within days of Ellis’ being picked for the job in November, which came shortly after President Donald Trump fired then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper via Twitter..." ABC News
Thanks for the response. I’m working from Phone ATM and limited in making sauce. Usual govspeak from office of general counsel. I concur that would be the entity to clear anything to be used in a trial/tribunal.
I think it has to do with civil service rules, for whatever value rules still have these days.