That legal maneuver was opposed by another top White House attorney, according to officials familiar with internal deliberations, and has been criticized by congressional lawmakers in both parties. ADThe Washington Post interviewed more than a dozen current and former OMB employees, as well as numerous other White House officials and legal experts, who painted a portrait of Paoletta’s work as the top lawyer at the OMB. Early in the Trump administration, Paoletta’s relationship with other White House officials fractured over another Supreme Court nominee, Neil M. Gorsuch, Trump’s first appointment to the high court. He worked closely throughout the saga with Vought, administration officials said, signing off on the language holding up the funds and working with attorneys at the Pentagon. Administration officials said Mulvaney wanted Paoletta on the impeachment team as well, but Cipollone was opposed.

Source: Washington Post January 28, 2020 10:52 UTC