Trump says Senate's next leader must favor recess appointments

President-elect Donald Trump has weighed in on the race for the next majority leader of the United States Senate, stating that any Republican seeking the job must support recess appointments in order to fill posts for his incoming government "in a timely manner."

Sen. Rick Scott, far left, and Sen. John Cornyn, far right, at a news conference in 2022.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

While he will take office on January 20, Trump also urged senators not to approve any judges "during this time," claiming that Democrats who maintain a majority in the chamber during the lame-duck session "are looking to ram through" judicial nominees while Republicans squabble over leadership.

"THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE," Trump wrote Sunday on his Truth Social platform.

Senate Republicans will vote for their new leader in a secret ballot on November 13, since Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will not run again.

Senators John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas are considered frontrunners for majority leader, with Senator Rick Scott of Florida also in the running.

Scott posted on the X social network that he supports Trump and "will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible." Elon Musk, a Trump supporter who may have a role in the administration, endorsed Scott following the post. 

Throughout his first term, Trump withdrew three cabinet nominations from Senate review.

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