Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026

Trump Considers Bypassing Senate for Cabinet Appointments

Exploring Recess Appointments for Cabinet Picks
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he may bypass the U.S. Senate's approval process to install his Cabinet picks through recess appointments, a move that would sideline congressional oversight.

The U.S. Constitution requires Senate approval for approximately 1,000 top government positions, but Trump wants the Senate to adjourn after his inauguration to enable these appointments without scrutiny.

Recess appointments, permitted by the Constitution when the Senate is not in session, allow officials to serve for up to two years.

This path has historical precedence, with former Presidents Barack Obama and George W.Bush both making such appointments.

However, since 2007, Congress has used 'pro forma' sessions—a tactic upheld by the Supreme Court in 2014—to block this maneuver, allowing recess appointments only if the Senate adjourns for a minimum of 10 days.

Trump's plan would require both the Senate and House to adjourn simultaneously.

If the two chambers disagree, the President could adjourn Congress, though this power has never been used.

Opinions among Republicans are mixed, with some supporting the idea and others wary of relinquishing Senate confirmation powers.

If Democratic opposition slows Trump's appointments, Republicans may consider recess appointments to expedite the process.

In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to express a stance on the proposal.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Defeated Brazilian Presidential Candidate Ordered to Surrender Passports Over Flight Risk Concerns
Localized Ukrainian Ceasefire Holds as Nordic Leaders Open Direct Peace Dialogues With Vladimir Putin
Serbian President Ousted by Mass Student Protests in Major Political Shift Toward the European Union
Egyptian Parliament Approves Military Deployment to Support Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Forces
Israeli Military Commanders Resist Pressure from Prime Minister to Launch Renewed Airstrikes on Iran
Massive Voter Turnout Drives Historic Israeli Elections as Public Weighs Future of Middle East Conflicts
Chinese Markets Shed Trillions in Value as US Technology Bans Undermine Artificial Intelligence Sector
Education or Indoctrination? The Growing Debate Over Religious Participation in British Schools
Germany's Vanishing Shopfronts: The Silent Collapse of the Businesses That Built Its Cities
Major Hollywood Studio Announces Major Reorganization of Streaming and Theatrical Distribution Strategy
Major League Baseball Concludes World Series With Historic Game Seven Thriller Captivating National Television Audiences
Automotive Manufacturers Expand Electric Vehicle Production Lines in Southern States Amid Changing Consumer Adoption Trends
National Retail Federation Reports Strong Consumer Spending Resilience Ahead of Upcoming Holiday Shopping Season
Major Technology Conglomerates Announce Billions in Capital Expenditures for Domestic Artificial Intelligence Data Center Expansion
Department of Energy Accelerates Domestic Critical Mineral Processing and Grid Resilience Projects Across Western States
Small Business Administration Expands Capital Access Programs to Support Regional Entrepreneurs and Industrial Growth
Environmental Protection Agency Finalizes Streamlined Regulatory Frameworks for Energy Exploration and Domestic Manufacturing
Department of Transportation Announces Multi-Million Dollar Federal Grants for Regional Airport and Rail Modernization
White House Domestic Policy Council Coordinates Federal Agency Efforts to Address Housing Affordability and Supply Shortages
Department of Health and Human Services Launches New Nationwide Public Health and Preventative Care Initiatives
National Security Council Officials Convene Interagency Meetings to Address Strategic Competition With China
Department of the Treasury Implements New Sanctions Targeting Illicit Financial Networks and Proliferation Financing
Federal Bureau of Investigation Enhances Cyber Defense Posture and Election Infrastructure Protection Nationwide
Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Major Administrative Law and Regulatory Enforcement Cases This Term
Department of Homeland Security Implements Enhanced Border Enforcement Protocols Along Southern Frontier
White House Highlights Regional Economic Growth and Infrastructure Investments During President Trump Trip to Mississippi
Federal Reserve and Treasury Department Monitor Financial Market Volatility Amid Persistent Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Pressures
Congressional Campaign Committees Pour Millions Into Battleground House and Senate Races in Final Week Before Midterms
Department of Defense Coordinates With Regional Allies to Counter Drone and Missile Threats Across the Middle East
Secretary of State Marco Rubio Prepares to Host Group of Twenty Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta to Advance Administration Global Economic Agenda
White House and Congressional Republicans Confront Heavy Political Headwinds Over Inflation and Surging Fuel Costs Ahead of Midterms
Department of State Orders Non-Emergency Personnel to Leave Saudi Arabia as Regional Security Risks Intensify
Department of Justice Brings Federal Indictment Against Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey
President Donald Trump Rules Out Military Strikes Against Iran Before Upcoming Midterm Elections Amid High-Stakes Regional Security Discussions
Department of Energy Accelerates Domestic Critical Mineral Processing and Grid Resilience Projects Across Western States
Small Business Administration Expands Capital Access Programs to Support Regional Entrepreneurs and Industrial Growth
Environmental Protection Agency Finalizes Streamlined Regulatory Frameworks for Energy Exploration and Domestic Manufacturing
Department of Transportation Announces Multi-Million Dollar Federal Grants for Regional Airport and Rail Modernization
White House Domestic Policy Council Coordinates Federal Agency Efforts to Address Housing Affordability and Supply Shortages
Department of Health and Human Services Launches New Nationwide Public Health and Preventative Care Initiatives
National Security Council Officials Convene Interagency Meetings to Address Strategic Competition With China
Department of the Treasury Implements New Sanctions Targeting Illicit Financial Networks and Proliferation Financing
Federal Bureau of Investigation Enhances Cyber Defense Posture and Election Infrastructure Protection Nationwide
Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Major Administrative Law and Regulatory Enforcement Cases This Term
Department of Homeland Security Implements Enhanced Border Enforcement Protocols Along Southern Frontier
White House Highlights Regional Economic Growth and Infrastructure Investments During President Trump Trip to Mississippi
Federal Reserve and Treasury Department Monitor Financial Market Volatility Amid Persistent Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Pressures
Congressional Campaign Committees Pour Millions Into Battleground House and Senate Races in Final Week Before Midterms
Department of Defense Coordinates With Regional Allies to Counter Drone and Missile Threats Across the Middle East
Secretary of State Marco Rubio Prepares to Host Group of Twenty Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta to Advance Administration Global Economic Agenda
×