> DOJ people don't just wake up and submit opinions to the Supreme Court at the approval of some random middle manager.
Well, no, the Solicitor General, under whose authority such things are done (and who is the person to whom the Supreme Court issues -- as it did in this case -- "invitations" [treated as commands] for input), is one of the highest-ranking officers at DoJ.
The Solicitor General is still appointed by the WH, and confirmed by the Senate. I would think that he/she, ostensibly speaking, would probably be in direct dialogue with the WH with respect to the executive's position on legal matters, especially considering that they so often end up on the Supreme Court anyway.
Well, no, the Solicitor General, under whose authority such things are done (and who is the person to whom the Supreme Court issues -- as it did in this case -- "invitations" [treated as commands] for input), is one of the highest-ranking officers at DoJ.
And still not part of the White House.