1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Even before he takes office, Trump is setting the stage for an unprecedented presidential power grab. Trump said that the next Republican Senate leader “must agree to Recess Appointments” to permit Trump to install top officials without having to endure the delay and hassle of Senate confirmation. He knows the right-wing nominees he would put before the Senate will be extremely controversial and even face resistance among some of his MAGA lemmings. This is a dangerous end run around the separation of powers. No president likes it, but the authority to pick appointees comes with a constitutional speed bump: Cabinet secretaries and others in high positions must be confirmed “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” This is Trump's first step towards destroying the checks and balances in our Constitution on his path towards authoritarian rule - and we must stop him now. Please take your job as a U.S. Senator seriously and do not allow Trump's recess appointments.