US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called on Republican lawmakers to allow him to appoint key officials without a Senate confirmation vote, aiming to obstruct the little remaining power Democrats have to thwart his administration.
Republican senators are choosing their next leader, who will enjoy great power next January after the party regained control of the Senate from the Democrats, albeit by a small majority.
Under the US Constitution, the Senate must vote to approve nominations made by the president to senior executive positions, such as Cabinet positions and judicial appointments.
However, there is a constitutional provision that allows presidents to override a Senate vote if the Senate is in an extended recess.
In an attempt to maintain the power of the legislative branch against the presidency, the Senate typically uses a parliamentary maneuver to avoid going into a sufficiently long recess.
But Trump said Sunday on social media that “any Republican senator seeking the coveted leadership position in the United States Senate must approve recess appointments.”
“Sometimes elections may take two years or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot allow that to happen again,” he said, referring to his first term.
The three senators seeking to become the chamber’s Republican leader issued statements with varying levels of support for the so-called recess appointments.
Rick Scott of Florida, who has the support of several close Trump allies, including billionaire Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, responded: “I agree 100%. I will do whatever it takes to pass your nominations as quickly as possible.”
John Thune of South Dakota, currently the Senate’s second-in-command, added: “We must move quickly and decisively to put the president’s nominees in place as soon as possible, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments.”
John Cornyn of Texas said: “It is unacceptable for senators to obstruct” Trump’s Cabinet appointments.
“If they do, we will remain in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly gives the president the power to make appointments during recess,” he added.
Trump also called on the Senate to halt any pending judicial nominations.
“No judges should be confirmed during this term because Democrats are looking to suppress their own judges while Republicans fight for leadership. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Democrats have narrowly controlled the Senate throughout President Joe Biden’s term, during which they have pushed back hundreds of federal judges, seeking to offset a massive wave of conservatives appointed by Trump during his first term.
The next Senate is scheduled to be sworn in in early January.