I should correct my statement that the appointment procedure for a special counsel goes back fifty years. Turns out it goes back to the Grant administration, when a special counsel was appointed to investigate the Whiskey Ring scandal. So, 150 years of precedent, not 50. I am surprised our resident Constitutional scholar did not catch that!
In any case the statutory wording is quite clear - the Attorney General (shall) appoint officials...to detect and prosecute crimes against the United States [and] to conduct such other investigations regarding official matters under the control of the Department of Justice and the Department of State as may be directed by the Attorney General.
I feel there is a strong probability the 11th Circuit will reverse Cannons bizarre semantic hair splittings - the term officer was used instead of official - and send the case on to a different judge. So, note to self America, do not let the proto fascist win.