NEW Mueller brief filed in Court of Appeals, DC Circuit, addressing Whitaker appointment and what it does to a subpoena fight to get testimony from a Roger Stone associate. In short, special counsel lawyers say the change in who's in charge "has no effect on this case."

Has no effect on THIS CASE, because, as the screenshot shows, Mueller is making the point that both @JeffSessions and DAG Rosenstein WERE confirmed by the Senate as principal officers when he was appointed. 1/2 https://t.co/CVdhDdMNfu

— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) November 20, 2018

2/2 in fact, Mueller’s argument here is predicated on conceding that a putative Acting AG who has NOT been confirmed by the Senate (@MattWhitaker46 ) may not have legal authority. He said it doesn’t matter as Rosenstein appointed him.

All the instant hot takes were ice-cold.

— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) November 20, 2018

What @MattWhitaker46 appointment?

There has been none.

Mueller points this out as he says “Trump’s DESIGNATION”. Not “appointment”.

It *should* be abundantly clear at this point that neither Rosenstein nor Mueller accept @MattWhitaker46 is “Acting Attorney General”

— Louise Bagshawe (@LouiseBagshawe) November 20, 2018