Despite having a 53-47 majority in the next Senate, Donald Trump He called for any Republican senator seeking the majority leader position to agree to make recess appointments during his administration, bypassing the traditional confirmation process. He also told his party to block any idiotic judicial appointments the Biden administration is trying to make.

“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must accept Recess Appointments (in the Senate!); without this we can’t get people approved in a timely manner… We need positions filled NOW!” Embers Published on Xsignaling his intention to rule once again via social media. “Also, no Judge should be confirmed during this time because Democrats want to attack Judges while Republicans fight for Leadership. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!”

“Republicans will have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but Trump is still calling for the Senate to adjourn so he can bypass this entirely,” said Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown University law professor. Published on XThere was a lot of reaction to Trump’s statement. “In other words, he wants to place people who can’t pass HE Senate.”

Elon Musk, the billionaire who turned X into a thing bastion of misinformation and who was Key figure of Trump’s campaignHe also showed support for this move. “This is so important,” he wrote. “There is no other way.” Trump said Musk will serve in a new administration role: “Secretary of Cost Cutting.”

A president can make temporary appointments while the Senate is in recess, and any appointments made during that time are considered “acting” members of the cabinet. Many presidents appoint cabinet surrogates as placeholders early in their administrations until a formal nomination process takes place. Trump has yet to indicate any intention to go through the formal process. In his first period, There are more deputy secretaries in his cabinet more than any other president, even late in his administration. left many political appointments vacant Even though Republicans control the Senate.

Senator Rick Scott, who is running for the majority leader position, quickly shared Trump’s post and added“I agree 100%. “I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that your nominations are finalized as quickly as possible.” Florida Senator Marco Rubio already approved I cast Scott for the role. Trump has yet to confirm his pick.

One quirk of Trump’s plan, as Punchbowl News’ Andrew Desiderio puts it, is that the Senate has historically held pro forma sessions during recess periods to prevent nominations. noted.

Trump has also encouraged his party to oppose judicial nominees Democrats might try to appoint during the lame session before the inauguration. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer In October, he vowed to “use the lame duck to confirm judges and… impeach as many judges as possible.”

The hypocrisy, as with Trump, is laughable. Following his election loss in 2020, Trump made several poor judicial appointments, including the appointment of Judge Aileen Cannon. Confirmed during Trump’s lame duck session and the person who presided over the classified documents case and ultimately dismissed it.