In this engaging discussion, Stanford Law professor Anne Joseph O’Connell, an expert on the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, unpacks the nuances of presidential power and accountability, particularly during Trump’s presidency. O’Connell reveals how the Act was potentially circumvented to appoint acting heads without Senate confirmation. She shares insights from her own experience in government, the implications of 'acting' appointments on national policy, and memorable moments clerking for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, blending legal expertise with personal anecdotes.