Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   Can I Get A Slow Down Date:   2/10/2017 4:24:17 PM

I believe Ms. Lerners appointment would have been terminated with the rest of Obama's appointments, unless she was specifically asked to stay.  I'm sure she has gone on to greener pastures. 

As far as the visa process, if I am not mistaken, this is done by the various Embassies in country, not here in the U.S.  Passport/visas are considered a very lowly job in the Embassy and are usually assigned to the newest Foreign Service Officers or to those whose careers are going nowhere.  It's entirely possiible that this is being augmented by some group at the Headquarters, State Department, but I haven't heard that said. 

But you raise an interesting point.  There is no reason visa approvals could not be given what is known in Washington as the "slow roll" to visa processing.  It would accomplish the same thing.  Brilliant thinking!