Trump Uses Recess Appointment to Pressure US Congress... Confrontation with Opposition 'Inevitable'

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by expressing his intention to use the 'recess appointment' power to appoint executive branch officials who have not gone through the confirmation hearings.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 15th (local time), President Trump said at a press conference, "Democratic lawmakers are delaying confirmation hearings and approval procedures for top executive branch officials in the Senate," adding, "The president has the authority to order a recess of both the House and Senate." If the Senate does not proceed with the confirmation process, he plans to force a recess and use the appointment power during the congressional recess to carry out the appointment procedures.

According to the Constitution, the U.S. president can appoint key executive branch positions without going through confirmation hearings when Congress is not in session. However, this power is considered an extremely exceptional authority.

Currently, the U.S. Congress remains in session without an official recess declaration. Therefore, President Trump intends to force Congress to recess if confirmation procedures are not followed, and then proceed with the appointments.

However, constitutional scholars in the U.S. have raised doubts about whether the president can use the recess appointment power at this time.

Stephen Vladeck, a constitutional law professor at the University of Texas, said, "The president can only use the recess appointment power when Congress does not agree on the recess date," adding, "That is not the case right now."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.