acting attorney general
Definition
A temporary official appointed to exercise the powers and duties of the Attorney General, typically occurring during a vacancy in the office or when the confirmed Attorney General is absent or unable to serve.
A placeholder authority figure who enjoys all the office perks, like the executive washroom and the fancy stationery, minus the tedious senate confirmation hearing.
Examples
He was named acting attorney general, a role that allows one to master the art of drafting legal opinions while simultaneously packing their desk in case the next administration decides to swap the furniture.
The acting attorney general displayed true bureaucratic courage by perfectly timing his most controversial decisions to coincide with the busiest shopping days of the year.
It takes real dedication to hold the title of acting attorney general, primarily because one must navigate the legal landscape as if they possess the power of a dictator while knowing their tenure has an expiration date shorter than a carton of milk.