original_query: What was the basis for claiming that Whitaker's appointment as acting Attorney General was illegal?
query: What was the basis for claiming that Whitaker's appointment as acting Attorney General was illegal?
answer: The legality of Whitaker's appointment was challenged because some argued it violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, which requires Senate confirmation for principal officers.  Others argued that while the Federal Vacancies Reform Act allowed for temporary appointments, Whitaker's appointment wasn't truly temporary.