Two of the top administration officials who now hold their positions in an "acting" capacity are expected to be upgraded to permanent status soon — possibly in the next week, White House sources told Newsmax.
Mick Mulvaney is expected to be moved from "acting" to "permanent" White House chief of staff, while the occupant of his previous position as Director of the Office of Management and Budget will almost certainly undergo a similar upgrade.
Russ Vought, presently "acting" OMB director, is considered certain to be nominated for permanent director.
Nomination of Vought, formerly a top aide to several conservative Members of Congress, to be OMB director will require Senate confirmation. The president's tapping "acting" chief of staff Mulvaney to be the permanent holder of the position would simply require the stroke of Trump's pen.
Trump himself has repeatedly said he has no problem working with top officials who are on "acting" status and this gives him "more flexibility." Senators of both parties disagree, saying "acting" officials carry less authority than those who have hold are permanent officials.
Mulvaney apparently agreed with them. Two months ago, the former South Carolina congressman and state legislator sent out strong signals he would not object to becoming president of the University of South Carolina and made inquiries about the job following the announced retirement of President Harris Pastides.
Mulvaney subsequently announced he was "no longer interested" in the position and would remain as Trump's chief of staff.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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