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On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump urged candidates for the Senate Republican leadership to agree to allow him to make recess appointments. This move would enable him to bypass the usual Senate approval process and expedite the placement of his nominees and appointees.
Recess appointments are a constitutional provision intended for urgent situations, permitting the president to fill vacancies without the Senate’s “advice and consent” when Congress is not in session. These appointments can last for up to two years. Trump’s suggestion aims to avoid potential opposition in the Senate that could delay or block his picks for key positions.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Trump wrote:
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY!”
This statement comes amid a three-way race to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The contenders are Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota, Senator Rick Scott of Florida, and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who previously served as the Senate GOP whip during Trump’s first term.
Senator Rick Scott, whose bid has gained traction among some of Trump’s allies, immediately supported the president-elect’s stance. He responded on X:
“100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.”
Senators Thune and Cornyn also emphasized the importance of confirming Trump’s nominees promptly but adopted a more measured tone. Thune stated:
“We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s nominees in place as soon as possible, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer and Senate Democrats block the will of the American people.”
Cornyn echoed this sentiment, noting that if Democrats attempt to obstruct the confirmation process, Republicans are prepared to keep the Senate in session continuously until the nominees are approved. He added:
“It is unacceptable for Senate Democrats to blockade President @realDonaldTrump’s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments.”
Furthermore, Trump called on Republicans to prevent any judicial appointments for the remainder of the year until the GOP regains control of both the White House and the Senate. He wrote:
“No Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!”
These developments highlight the ongoing strategic battles in Washington over the confirmation of presidential appointments and the potential use of constitutional mechanisms to advance political agendas. For those concerned about the functioning of government and the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. political system, these actions underscore the importance of staying informed and engaged in the political process.