It Looks Like a Major Lib Narrative About the Alleged Healthcare CEO Killer...
CNN Commentator Blows a Gasket Over Trump's Proposal for Birthright Citizenship
Ambassador Kari Lake?
The Liberal Media Reaction to the Daniel Penny Verdict Was Off the Rails
The Libs Still Don't Know How to Talk to Voters
Hollywood Is Killing Itself: Good
Whiskey Resurgence in the Heart of the Rebellion
Pardoning the Unpardonable
House Dem Says There Could Be 'Huge Bipartisan Cooperation' With DOGE on One...
Why Are Politicians So Weak? Part Two
Daniel Penny Goes on Bar-Hopping Victory Lap
Jordan Neely Protest Devolves Into Infighting
From Legislation to Litigation: The Battle Over Tobacco Harm Reduction
The Left, Unhinged
Javier Milei – One Year Later
Tipsheet

Did the GOP Senate Leader Say Recess Appointments Are on the Table for Matt Gaetz?

AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Time will tell, but it’s interesting to see that newly minted Republican Senate leader John Thune (R-SD) pretty much say that all options are on the table regarding the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as attorney general. The nomination dropped a bomb on Washington, as everyone within the political class’ circles was freaking out. The panic was palpable in DC, but also the foreknowledge that this would be a nasty confirmation fight that President-elect Donald J. Trump could lose. Gaetz isn’t precisely what you’d call a smooth confirmation, not one bit.

Advertisement

If we ever get to the hearings, and that’s a big “if,” given the obstacles ahead, then it will a) make for some of the best television in years regarding a cabinet post nomination and b) be downright dirty. There’s also the question about whether Gaetz has the votes. He doesn’t (right now), with reports showing as many as 30 "no" votes among Republican senators. Trump is playing with fire a bit—losing a nomination like this is a body blow. 

Yet, Mr. Thune seemed open to recess appointments should things hit rocky shoals. We’ll see if that holds—I wouldn’t bet the mortgage on it. But there is what is described as a “bonkers” plan to get Gaetz into his position without the Senate formalities, which will for sure trigger everyone:

Advertisement

The Constitution provides that “[n]either House [of Congress], during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days.” (Article I, Section 5, clause 4.) Article II, section 3 provides that “in Case of Disagreement between [the Houses], with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, [the president] may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.” 

Step 1: The Speaker of the House (presumably Mike Johnson) seeks to adjourn the House for ten days and requests the Senate’s consent to the House’s adjournment. 

Step 2: The Senate refuses to provide its consent to the House’s adjournment. 

Step 3: Trump adjourns both the House and the Senate for ten days (or maybe two years). [But couldn’t Senate just agree to House’s adjournment? Maybe that’s why some folks were so interested in having Rick Scott as Senate majority leader.] 

Step 4: Trump recess-appoints his Cabinet officers. 

This nomination has become a sort of political Rorschach test, as some view it as a genuine push to clean house at the Justice Department while others see it to soften the upper chamber to get who Trump really wants at DOJ. Is it a ploy to get Gaetz out of Congress? Or is this a test of loyalty among Senate Republicans? Everyone sees what they want to see with Gaetz’s nomination. One thing that is clear is that all I need to see to like the pick is how these professional political operatives who call themselves DOJ officials are reacting: they’re straight-up terrified at the prospect of Attorney General Matt Gaetz.

Advertisement

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement