Appointment of acting attorney general challenged in court

Maryland is challenging the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as the U.S. acting attorney general, arguing President Donald Trump sidestepped the Constitution and the Justice Department’s own succession plan. The filing sets up a court challenge between a state and the federal government over the legitimacy of the country’s chief law enforcement officer.

It comes as Democrats call on Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel’s Russia probe because of comments he has made and amid concerns over his views on the scope of judicial authority.