Who is Matt Whitaker, the man stepping into Jeff Sessions’ role?

World Today

Iowa Republican senatorial candidate, former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, looks on before a live televised debate at KCCI-TV studios, Thursday, May 29, 2014, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

After U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was forced out of office by President Trump, Matthew Whitaker, Sessions’ former Chief of Staff, has been appointed to temporarily replace his boss as acting Attorney General.

Whitaker, a former U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s Southern District under President Bush, a former college football player, and a frequent commentator on CNN, may also assume control over the Mueller investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections.

When asked about the matter, the Department of Justice said Whitaker would be “in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice.”

The Justice Department did not announce a departure for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller more than a year and a half ago and has closely overseen his work since then.

Whitaker has been vocal in his criticisms about the investigation and, at times, has said Mueller has taken the probe too far. Since he has shared many of his opinions on the matter on his Twitter account, @MattWhitaker46, we have included some relevant tweets here: