Trump Pick for Nonpartisan Efficiency Office Active in Partisan Cases

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead a nonpartisan agency focused on administrative efficiency followed his nomination by filing lawsuits fighting union fees and arguing that discrimination against LGBT workers should be permitted for religious reasons.

The Administrative Conference of the United States, or ACUS, bills itself as an independent, nonpartisan agency that provides recommendations to improve the government’s processes and procedures.

Jonathan Mitchell, a 42-year-old visiting law professor at Stanford University and former Texas solicitor general, waded into politically charged litigation prior to his September 2017 selection to lead the agency. He represented Mississippi in the state’s successful defense of ...