Economy

Recess Appointment Gets a Legal Thumbs Up

This is good news. For now.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is publicly rebutting Republican criticism of the legality of President Barack Obama's recent recess appointments of a national consumer watchdog and other officials.

The department released a 23-page legal opinion Thursday summarizing the advice it gave the White House before the Jan. 4 appointments. GOP leaders have argued the Senate was not technically in recess when Obama acted so the regular Senate confirmation process should have been followed.

Round of applause today, but when Extremist Republican President X appoints a roster of John Bolton types (maybe even the actual John Bolton) during a congressional recess and despite pro forma sessions, our heads will explode.