Free Republic

BREAKING News: Trump has sent word to the Senate Majority Leader Thune that if the Senate doesn't confirm AG Gaetz, he will appoint him using the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, which allows for temporary appointments for up to 210 days, with a possible 210-day extension. This individual would not require Senate confirmation.

There’s more than one way to install an Attorney General. President Donald Trump is suggesting on social media that if the Senate won’t confirm Matt Gaetz as the next Attorney General, Trump will go an alternate route. Trump could use the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 instead of the recess appointment process, which has also been floated to get the Panhandle Republican through a Senate where many Republicans are skeptical of the Gaetz pick. That 1998 law allows for temporary appointments. “If no one has been nominated to the position, an acting officer may serve in the position for...

“…in Case of Disagreement between [the House and Senate], with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, [the President] may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.” — Article II, Section 3 The presidential power of adjourning Congress has never been used. There are no precedents and scant commentary about what it means or exactly what triggers it. But now, there is credible consideration of the idea being discussed as part of Trump’s demand for an adjournment to let him use recess appointments to completely bypass the Senate confirmation process. It wouldn’t be the first time the issue...