Back in 1993, I was working as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and had contact with U.S. Attorneys and Federal LEO's. The local AUSA's never made policy or decisions on their cases. Everything they were to do on a prosecution came from teletype from Justice in D.C. I made jokes to the AUSA's that they couldn't pee if their pants were on fire without a teletype telling them it was OK.
I remember when Clinton fired all the USA's. He sacked everyone at Justice in D.C., too. For two solid weeks, the teletypes were silent. No decisions were made on Federal prosecutions anywhere in the United States.
Very interesting story, thanks for sharing it with us.