📢 Unfit and Unqualified: Trump’s Tactics to Bypass Accountability
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Trump’s Tactics to Bypass Accountability
Shout out to everyone who came out for our "Why We Need to Stop Recess Appointments" presentation. No worries if you missed it; here is a summary of what we covered and actions we can take to mitigate potential harm to our freedoms and rights.
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What is a Recess Appointment?
Recess appointments bypass Senate Confirmation and accountability by allowing a President to appoint unfit and unqualified individuals.
According to Alexander Hamilton, the Senate's participation was supposed to be a check on "a spirit of favoritism in the president" and to "prevent the appointment of unfit characters." 2
While not perfect, a Senate confirmation helps to ensure a thorough review of the nominee's qualifications, ethics, and potential conflicts of interest.
How many can Trump appoint?
Around 1200 require Senate Confirmation
How long is a recess appointment?
Up to two years
Recess appointments bypass Senate Confirmation and accountability by allowing a President to appoint unfit and unqualified individuals. Here are all of the cabinet positions that require senate confirmation except the vice-president who was elected:
Additionally, several other key positions should have Senate oversight and could be bypassed with the use of Recess Appointments:
Medicare and Medicaid - Dr. Oz
EPA - Lee Zeldin
National Intelligence - Tulsi Gabbard
FBI Director - Kash Patel
Imagine the head of National Intelligence or the FBI Director having no background check, vetting, or review of potential conflicts of interest. That is what could happen if Trump pushes for recess appointments.
Susie Wiles - Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff
As a friendly reminder, the incoming Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, does not require a confirmation hearing or oversight. However, she has an extensive career as a lobbyist, representing clients such as:
A waste management company that has resisted removing nuclear waste from its radioactive landfill.
A foreign copper and gold mining company that wants to eliminate federal opposition to its plan to dig a massive mine in a pristine watershed.
A tobacco company that sought to block federal health restrictions on its candy-flavored cigars, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found are attractive to kids.
A foreign news company whose owner has been indicted for money laundering.
A foreign mining private equity firm seeking approval to develop an open-pit leach gold mine on federal public lands.
Which President has done recess appointments?
171 - George W Bush
139 - Bill Clinton
39 - Barack Obama (it should be noted that the Supreme Court rebuked Obama by striking down three of his recess appointments in a 9-0 ruling stating that his use of a three-day break was not a true recess)
Could Trump or any president abuse this power?
In January, Trump will effectively control both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is my humble opinion, as I believe that while Republicans in Congress may hold the majority in both chambers, they lack the character and temperament to stand up to Trump and wield the constitutional powers entrusted to them responsibly.
The use of recess appointments could happen if the…
Senate agrees to a recess of 10 days or more or the House votes to a longer recess than the Senate, which triggers a Constitutional power for Trump to use:
"According to the US Constitution, "in Case of Disagreement" a president can adjourn both chambers of Congress until "such Time as he shall think proper" - which would then provide Trump an opportunity to make recess appointments."
In Trump’s last presidency he advocated for the use of recess appointments and in November of this year he posted on Truth Social the following:
I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this insightful segment by Rachel Maddow on the potential misuse of recess appointments:
What are Trump's Motivation for Recess Appointments?
In researching this issue for our members, I found this piece that Sidney Blumenthal shared on Trump's motives in the Guardian:
He wants to break the Senate and crush it under his heel as his first act. Humiliation is the essence of his idea of power.
Trump's cabinet appointments are agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance. The motive for naming his quack nominees is located in his resentments from his sordid first term for which he pledged retribution. He sees the US government in its totality as a bastion of his "enemies within". He intends to shatter every department and agency, root out expertise that might contradict his whims, demolish the balancing power of the Congress that could inhibit him, and trample the law that might stand in his way.
Wrecking the government is not only Trump's technique for gaining submission and compliance, but is his ultimate purpose. He will achieve vindication by tearing down anything he feels was used to restrain his destructive impulses or tried to hold him accountable for his past crimes, whether it is the military, the justice system or science itself. 3
Could Trump endanger America's safety and security by appointing unqualified or dangerous individuals without congressional oversight?
You might be wondering, what's stopping Trump—or any president—from abusing the power of recess appointments? Currently, the main checks are Congress and the Supreme Court, but there's no guarantee either will stand up to Trump.
That's where we come in. It's up to us, the people, to demand action from Congress. We must push them to take a stand and pass legislation NOW requiring all political appointees—no matter how they're appointed—to undergo thorough background checks by the FBI and ethical vetting by the Office of Government Ethics, as has always been the norm. Our pressure can make the difference in ensuring these critical safeguards are in place to protect our democracy and close the door to authoritarianism.
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
People Power United members are committed to championing progress and power to the people. We don't just complain; we do the work to make change happen. Friends, now is not the time to succumb to fear or exhaustion—that's precisely what radical Republicans, extreme conservatives, and MAGA supporters desire. Let's unite and advocate for an America where everyone can thrive, not just the wealthy and powerful.
Here are the actions we are asking you to take to protect our rights, freedoms, democracy, rule of law-and our families and communities:
Click here to sign the petition: Don't Let Trump Bypass Your Constitutional Duties
Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress and State lawmakers: Protect Democracy and Prevent Abuse of Recess Appointments
Call your Member of Congress (202) 224-3121 and tell them to make a public statement against using recess appointments to rule over people instead of representing them and to work on and pass legislation that requires all political appointees—no matter how they're appointed—to undergo thorough background checks by the FBI and ethical vetting by the Office of Government Ethics as has always been the norm.
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Join us to build People Power! Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
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And THANK YOU for doing the video, when you were about to depart for a medical procedure, didn't think you looked good and didn't think you were doing the video "well"--WHAT MATTERS is that we got to see the REAL YOU! That's HUGE! To see the person, hear the voice--the humility as well as the encouragement! HOORAY! Prayers for your healing. NO FEAR! LOVE IS THE WAY!
Thank you and best wishes and prayers 🙏 for your health. I value you and your leadership. 🌻
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