Trump Eyes Recess Appointments to Push Controversial Cabinet Picks

President-elect Trump considers bypassing Senate confirmation for key nominees, raising constitutional concerns and intraparty tensions.

President-elect Donald Trump is exploring the use of recess appointments to secure confirmation of controversial cabinet nominees despite Republican control of the Senate.
Recess appointments, which allow the president to bypass Senate confirmation during congressional recesses, have faced legal and constitutional scrutiny, including a 2014 Supreme Court ruling limiting their use.
Trump has conditioned his support for Senate leadership candidates on their willingness to enable recess appointments, with John Thune ultimately winning the GOP Senate leadership race.
Some Republicans, including Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, have expressed opposition to the plan, citing the Senate's constitutional role in confirming executive appointments.
Legal experts warn that pursuing recess appointments could provoke a constitutional crisis, especially if Trump seeks to adjourn Congress unilaterally to create a recess.