The Obama Appointee Who Could Run the Trump Leak Probe

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-quiet-obama-appointee-who-could-run-the-trump-leak-probe

The Obama Appointee Who Could Run the Trump Leak Probe
An Obama appointee who ‘plays it close to the vest’ has risen to the highest level of Jeff Sessions’ Justice Department—and is a key player in the DOJ’s effort to stop leaks.
Betsy Woodruff
07.31.17 1:00 AM ET


Over the past six months, the Justice Department has faced extraordinary tumult. And for each crisis, one figure with virtually zero public profile is always at hand, working behind the scenes: Dana Boente, one of only two Obama-appointed U.S. attorneys President Trump didn’t fire.

But this week, Boente’s role at the Justice Department will be more public than ever. The department is expected to announce that it has launched a wide-ranging investigation into government officials who may have illegally shared classified information with reporters. It’s a highly unusual move, as the department rarely, if ever, publicizes its investigations.

But these are highly unusual times. And no one is closer to all the action than Boente, who is temporarily helming the department’s powerful National Security Division.

As the department faces acid criticism from the president, Boente has quietly risen to its upper echelon, defending the travel ban when Sally Yates refused to and now gearing up for potential leak prosecutions. He’s an enigma to many: a quiet man who never married, never left the government, and apparently never stops working. And while he was President Barack Obama’s pick as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Trump opted to keep him in that role. If Trump follows through on his veiled threats to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, the Russia probe would likely, at least temporarily, become Boente’s responsibility.

Since April 28, Boente has run the National Security Division—responsible for prosecuting terrorists, hackers, Somali pirates, and others who pose security threats. The president still hasn’t named his official pick to run the National Security Division, though it’s expected to be Boeing assistant general counsel John Demers.

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-quiet-obama-appointee-who-could-run-the-trump-leak-probe