Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, Oct 02, 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
FTC Opens Study Into Consolidation Across Agricultural Supply Chains
US Labour Data Shows Steady Hiring as Unemployment Claims Remain Low
FEMA Deploys Additional Teams After Severe Storms Hit Southern States
US Government Plans Further Consolidation of Federal Office Space
US Education Department Tightens University Disclosure Requirements
FCC Streamlines Spectrum Approvals to Support Rural Broadband Expansion
US Agriculture Department Introduces Emergency Drought Relief for Western Farmers
US Small Business Administration Expands Financing for Manufacturing Startups
FBI Expands Cyber Intelligence Sharing With Critical Infrastructure Operators
US Health Department Launches Programme to Support Rural Hospitals and Telehealth
EPA Revises Compliance Timelines for Industrial Emissions Standards
Democratic Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Reprogramming
White House Issues Report Criticising Progressive Economic Policy Proposals
US Treasury Highlights Wage Growth and Consumer Spending Amid Inflation Debate
Homeland Security Reports Increased Apprehensions and Expedited Migrant Removals
US Transportation Department Enforces Automatic Refund Rules for Major Flight Disruptions
Justice Department Expands Antitrust Scrutiny of Algorithmic Pricing
US Intelligence Officials Warn of Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Midterm Elections
US Energy Department Allocates $2 Billion for Advanced Nuclear Technology and Uranium Enrichment
Federal Reserve Signals Cautious, Data-Dependent Approach to Future Rate Cuts
Pentagon Expands Indo-Pacific Security Planning Amid South China Sea Tensions
Federal Judge Reinstates Western Washington US Attorney Fired by Trump
US Redirects More Than $52 Million in Military Financing to Latin America
US Congress Recesses as Lawmakers Shift Focus to November Midterm Elections
US Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Resume Third-Country Deportations
UK Police Arrest Dual British-Iranian National Over Suspected Plot Targeting RAF Fairford
Passengers and Crew Thwart Attempted Hijacking of Flydubai Flight Over Saudi Arabia
Myanmar Airstrike on Rakhine Market Kills at Least 50 Civilians
Russian Drone Strikes on Kyiv Kill Three as Poland Scrambles Fighter Jets
US Completes Withdrawal of All Military Forces From Iraq After 23 Years
US Deploys Third Aircraft Carrier and More Missile Defenses to Middle East Amid Iran Conflict
Putin Rules Out Ukraine Ceasefire and Threatens Nuclear Deployment to Defend Kaliningrad
Rick Ross Arrested in Miami Beach on Domestic Violence Allegations
US Plans Redesigned Passport and Digital Application Changes for 2028
Florida County Investigates Unauthorized License Plate Camera Network
US Immigration Judge Orders Deportation of Salah Sarsour
US Treasury Highlights Travel Difficulties for Iranian UN Delegation Amid Sanctions
California Governor Candidates Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra Clash Over Housing, AI and Trump Policies
Tennessee Death Row Inmate Christa Pike in Critical Condition After Failed Execution Attempt
AI Agents Attempt Cyberattack on Canadian Government Websites
Amazon Settles Washington DC Lawsuit Over Delivery Practices in Majority-Black Neighborhoods
Colorado River Nears Critical Water Threshold
Treasury Issues Rules for First Federal School Voucher Program
Senate Confirms Keith Sonderling as US Labor Secretary
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Illegally Fired Seattle US Attorney
States Sue Trump Administration Over Rollback of Power Plant Emissions Rules
Elon Musk to Advise Pentagon on Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Warfare
Pennsylvania Records Fifth Measles Death as US Outbreak Worsens
Passengers and Crew Subdue Co-Pilot After Attempted Hijacking of Flydubai Flight
Zelenskyy to Visit Washington for US-Ukraine Critical Minerals Agreement
×