Republicans can prevent Trump from appointing Goetz as attorney general in the way he wants - Axios
Kyiv • UNN
Some Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are ready to block Trump's attempt to appoint Matt Goetz as Attorney General during the off-session. To implement the plan, Trump needs the support of the Speaker and almost all Republicans in the House.
Some Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are ready to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from using an intersession appointment for Attorney General nominee Matt Goetz, Axios reports, according to UNN.
Details
In the case of intersessional appointments, the House of Representatives, as indicated, may use a procedural trick to prevent the president from bypassing the Senate.
Several Republicans in the House of Representatives would vote against making any moves during the intersession, Axios has learned.
Trump's plan to circumvent the Senate's "advice and consent" role is complicated, but there is a clear constitutional provision that gives him the right to adjourn Congress, which would open the door to appointments during the intersession.
For Trump's plan to work, he needs the cooperation of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and almost all other Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Trump is convinced that Johnson is "on board." But Johnson can only afford to lose two or three lawmakers in the off-session vote.
If Johnson does not have a majority, Trump will lose his excuse to force Congress to adjourn.
"The Senate has a duty to advise and consent under the Senate and the Constitution. They need to take it seriously, and they will," Johnson told reporters on Tuesday.
As noted, some Republicans in the House of Representatives have serious doubts about canceling House sessions just to give Trump the right to use appointments in the intersession period.
"I've said before that we shouldn't go into recess," said Republican House member Mike Lawler.
A few days after the election, Trump demanded that the candidates for Senate Majority Leader endorse his right to use recess appointments. [All the leading candidates, including the eventual winner, Republican Senator John Thune, agreed with Trump.
In fact, there are doubts as to whether the Senate will agree to adjourn if they know that the only purpose will be to appoint nominees who lack the 50 votes needed for confirmation.
Many Republicans in the Senate privately point out that Goetz does not have the votes.
