1) I cannot overstate how big of a deal this is--Noel Francisco, the Solicitor General of the United States--has signed the DOJ's response in support of mandamus against Sullivan. This means the DOJ is VERY upset about Sullivan's actions. https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/1267577771506745345

2) The Solicitor General is the 4th-highest ranking individual in the DOJ.

3) He oversees a division of about 20 attorneys, and their main job is to personally brief and argue all cases in the SCOTUS in which the US Gov't is a party or an amicus.

4) But the Solicitor General also has the ADDITIONAL job of deciding whether to appeal a decision to a higher court, or whether to file a mandamus petition in a higher court.

5) In other words, even if a federal prosecuting attorney wants to take a decision to a higher court via appeal or mandamus, that US Attorney CANNOT do so without the Solicitor General's permission.

6) But even when the Solicitor General authorizes a US Attorney to file a brief in an appellate court, usually the Solicitor General leaves it to the US Attorney to draft and file it--the Solicitor General does not actually sign it or participate in writing it.

7) But HERE, the Solicitor General, along with FIVE of his deputies and assistants, has signed on to the brief.

8) This is highly unusual and rare. It show that the DOJ is gravely concerned about Judge Sullivan's actions, and wants them rectified immeidately.