President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that any Republican senator vying to be the next majority leader must back his use of recess appointments.
The controversial power play would allow the commander in chief to bypass Senate confirmation when appointing people to senior administration positions.
Despite the fact that his party is on track to hold at least 52 seats in the 100-member Senate, Trump expects to steamroll his selections through the chamber to avoid any opposition or public scrutiny.
Trump posted on X: ‘Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner.
‘Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again.
‘We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!’
The recess appointments would also nix any Senate confirmation hearings, which are intended to give voters a chance to view the candidates as they are grilled on their positions.
Presidents have not been able to make so-called recess appointments since a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that limited their power to do so.
The last time a recess appointment was used was in 2012 under former president Barack Obama.
That was before the Supreme Court ruled the appointments could not be made while Congress was in pro forma sessions, making them effectively unusable.
Trump and President Biden were unable to use them during their tenure.
Senators John Thune, John Cornyn and Rick Scott are all running in a secret ballot election on Wednesday to replace longtime GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, all three candidates immediately relented by suggesting that they would find a way to use the practice.
Scott, from Florida, said: ‘100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.’
Thune, of South Dakota, said in a statement that they must ‘quickly and decisively’ act to get nominees in place and that ‘all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments.’
Cornyn, from Texas, said: ‘It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President Trump’s cabinet appointments.
‘If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent’, he noted that recess appointments are allowed under the Constitution.
The social media exchange on Sunday became a first test for the three candidates since Trump was elected to a second term.
Trump’s relationship with Congress was tumultuous in his first term as he chafed at resistance to his selections and sought ways to work around lawmakers.
With a sweeping election victory, he has become emboldened and demanded that Senate Republicans fall in line behind his agenda.
X founder and close Trump ally Elon Musk, who is also said to be appointed the head of a new so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency,’ backed the move.
‘This is essential. There is no other way,’ Musk commented on Trump’s post on X.
Musk then added: ‘Without recess appointments, it will take two years or more to confirm the new administration!
‘This would make it impossible to enact the change demanded by the American people, which is utterly unacceptable.’
Musk also backed Rick Scott to be majority leader, while Trump has not endorsed anyone in the race.
In addition, Trump called on Senate Republicans to block any attempt by the current Democratic-controlled Senate to push through more judges before the change of power.
Democrats will control the chamber for the rest of Biden’s presidency and do not require GOP votes to approve judges.
It comes as Trump offered the role of US ambassador to the United Nations to Elise Stefanik.
The House Republican and ally of the president accepted the UN gig after it was offered on Sunday, according to The New York Post.
The New York representative accepted the role previously held by Nikki Haley – who had ran against Trump in the Republican primaries.
‘I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,’ Stefanik told The Post.
In recent years Stefanik, who is the highest ranking Republican woman in the House, has been one of his closest allies.
Trump has also announced that Susie Wiles would be his chief of staff in the White House.
The ‘Ice Baby’ – as she has been nicknamed – will be the first female chief of staff in U.S. history.
The 67-year-old ran the campaign that propelled him to an historic election win over Democrat Kamala Harris on Tuesday night.
Wiles ran his race from behind the scenes and is one of the most feared and effective political operatives in the nation.