Senate GOP leadership candidates support Trump's request to 'agree to Recess Appointments'

Three frontrunners in the Senate GOP leadership race have agreed with President-elect Donald Trump’s call for recess appointments, which allow a president to fill high-level positions temporarily during Senate breaks that bypass immediate Senate confirmation, with appointments lasting until the end of the Senate’s next session unless the appointee is confirmed by the Senate during that time.

Trump has endorsed any of those in the running. The leadership election is set to take place on November 13 by secret ballot. 

Senator John Thune wrote, "We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s nominees in place as soon as possible, & all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let Schumer and Senate Dems block the will of the American people."

"It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President Donald Trump‘s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments," Senator John Cornyn wrote.

"Article II, Section 2, Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session," he added.

Senator Rick Scott wrote in response to Trump’s request, "100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible."

Trump wrote on Sunday that any GOP Senator seeking the Majority Leadership position "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," he continued. "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 Republican Party regained control of the Senate in the 2024 election. Current Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is stepping down from his role, opening up the race for his replacement. Thune and Cornyn have been called "RINOs" by Donald Trump Jr for their positions on foreign aid to Ukraine, with Cornyn facing criticism from President-elect Trump for his role in negotiating bipartisan gun safety legislation under President Biden. Trump Jr does not have an official role in the administration, but joined others on social media such as Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson in vehemently backing Scott.