Having overthrown the rule of a king, the framers of America’s Constitution wisely designed a system of government with three branches – executive, legislative, and judicial – to thwart any future would-be-tyrant. One check in that system requires the Senate to approve appointments made by the president. But, Donald Trump, who values loyalty to himself more than loyalty to the Constitution, has demanded that the Senate allow him to appoint officials to his new administration without confirmation hearings.
In a demonstration of his political muscle, the president-elect has urged those contending for GOP Senate leadership to enable him to make “recess appointments,” which would allow the president to make appointments while the Senate is temporarily paused and can be used to circumvent the confirmation process -- a process that could result in his appointments being delayed or blocked.
We cannot allow this. Republicans have chosen John Thune as their majority leader. He and the Senate must not bow to Trump’s demand. Please contact your senators today to let them know this is not acceptable; they must not take this step toward autocracy: Call (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your senator or find your senator’s email address at www.senate.gov.
Katie I. Fry,
Akron