Donald Trump wants the next leader of the US Senate to allow him to make appointments even if the upper house is in recess, leaving aside a confirmation vote.
Days before Republican senators elect a new leader, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump, has pressured candidates for office to change the rules and give him the power to appoint some members of his cabinet without the need for a vote in the upper house.
Republican Senators John Thune, from South Dakota; John Cornyn, for Texas; and Rick Scott of Florida are competing in a secret election on Wednesday to take the helm of the party conference and take the place of Mitch McConnell, who is leaving office after nearly two decades.
All three have sought Trump's support during the race, fighting to show who is closest to the former president.
Trump has not spoken in favor of any of the three candidates, but on Sunday he made clear that he anticipates that, if necessary, the new leader will find new alternatives to the regular order of the Senate to allow him to fill his cabinet as soon as possible.
On X and Truth Social social media, the Republican stated that the next leader “must agree” to allow him to make appointments even if the House is in recess, leaving aside a confirmation vote.
“Any Republican senator seeking the coveted leadership position in the US Senate must accept recess appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get these individuals confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump posted. He added that the positions must be filled “Immediately!”
The Senate has not allowed presidents to make recess appointments since 2014, when a Supreme Court decision limited a president's powers to make these types of appointments.
Since then, the Senate has held brief “pro forma” sessions when it is not in session for more than 10 days so that a president cannot take advantage of the absence and begin appointing positions that have not been confirmed.
But with Trump's support as a key factor in the race, none of the three candidates took long to hint that they are willing to reconsider these types of actions.
Scott responded to Trump: “I agree 100%. “I will do whatever it takes to move your nominations forward as quickly as possible.” Thune, for his part, indicated in a statement that they must “act quickly and decisively” to approve the appointments, and that “all options are on the table to achieve this, including recess appointments.”
Cornyn said, “It is unacceptable for Senate Democrats to block the president's Cabinet appointments… If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent.” He highlighted that the Constitution allows appointments during recesses.
Sunday's social media exchange became a first test for all three candidates since Trump decisively won last week's election for a second term.
Trump's relationship with Congress—particularly over the advisory and consent roles given to the Senate in nominations—was tumultuous during his first term, as he lashed out at opposition to his appointments and sought ways to to avoid legislators.
Heading into his second term, strengthened by his landslide election victory, Trump has already signaled that he expects Republican senators, and by extension, his new leader, to support his Cabinet picks.
Trump also posted Sunday that the Senate should not approve the appointment of any judges in the weeks leading up to his inauguration next year — a demand that is more difficult to meet since Democrats will control the floor and have the majority of votes. until the new Congress is sworn in on January 3.