Days before Senate Republicans pick their new leader, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change Senate rules and give him more power to appoint unconfirmed nominees

Summary

Ahead of Senate Republicans’ leadership election, Donald Trump is pressuring candidates to support recess appointments for faster cabinet approvals, bypassing standard Senate confirmation.

Trump’s demands, posted on X, have prompted candidates John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott to consider supporting this rule change.

All three are vying to replace Mitch McConnell as GOP leader and have emphasized their loyalty to Trump.

Trump also urged Republicans to block lame-duck judicial appointments by Democrats.

Trump allies, including Elon Musk and Senators Mike Lee and Marco Rubio, have endorsed Scott.

  • marine_mustang@sh.itjust.works
    17·
    3 days ago

    On June 26, 2014, in a 9–0 ruling, the United States Supreme Court validated this practice of using pro forma sessions to block the president from using the recess appointment authority

    Can’t do recess appointments if the senate is never in recess. When was the last recess appointment made? 2012, and it was ruled invalid.

    This makes no sense anyway. The Senate will be Republican-controlled by four votes before he takes office. So he’s worried about Republicans blocking his nominees? Or is he asking for an ally that’ll put the Senate into recess immediately so he can recess appoint hundreds of people? I doubt even his staunchest allies will be willing to publicly neuter themselves so much.

    • Tower@lemm.ee
      6·
      3 days ago

      2 reasons, I would presume.

      1. He doesn’t want his appointees to have to deal with the questions that come up during the confirmation process, and

      2. This way he can appoint the worst of the worst without worrying about Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins persuading 1 or 2 others to defect.