Trump holds Federal Vacancies Reform Act, threat of recess appointments, over Senate's head to get Matt Gaetz in as AG

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Law & Crime

Nov 19th, 2024, 1:58 pm


President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly holding the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 — a law that allows a legal maneuver used multiple times during his first presidency — over the heads of U.S. Senate members as he fights to get Matt Gaetz confirmed as attorney general.

On Monday, senators and sources close to Trump told CNN, Axios and the New York Times that he had been calling Senate members and GOP allies directly over the past week to ask for their support in his Gaetz crusade. Trump reportedly spoke with Republican leaders about using the FVRA to circumvent the Senate confirmation process for his cabinet picks, most importantly Gaetz, according to CNN.

“He clearly wants Matt Gaetz,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told Axios after speaking with Trump over the phone. “He believes Matt Gaetz is the one person who will have the fearlessness and ferociousness, really, to do what needs doing at the Department of Justice.”

One source told CNN, “He is not going to back off. He’s all in.” According to the Times, Trump has demanded that incoming Senate majority leader John Thune be on board with his plans — reportedly telling him to allow recess appointments — after making threats to carry them out earlier this month.

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/he-is-not-going-to-back-off-trump-holds-federal-vacancies-reform-act-threat-of-recess-appointments-over-senates-head-to-get-matt-gaetz-in-as-ag/

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Full headline: ‘He is not going to back off’: Trump holds Federal Vacancies Reform Act, threat of recess appointments, over Senate’s head to get Matt Gaetz in as AG

S.2176 - Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998
S. Rept. 105-250 - FEDERAL VACANCIES REFORM ACT OF 1998

(this apparently got rolled into some kind of reconciliation bill back then)

Some caveats about this -

The way the FVRA loophole works is simple: Nominees are selected through recess appointments after first becoming assistants or seconds-in-command to whatever position they’re being nominated for; the FVRA is then used to extend their terms and keep them in office.

Legal experts have had mixed opinions on the FVRA power play, with some believing it can be done and others scoffing at it.

“Trump could not use the FVRA now to appoint Gaetz AG,” said former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade in an interview with Newsweek. “The FVRA limits appointees to first assistants, people already serving as presidential appointees, and senior career employees who have already served the past 365 days. Gaetz falls into none of those categories.”

[Joinfortmill]

1. Not good. Gaetz is smart enough to cause lots of trouble

[dweller]

2. I wonder if

Geetz has something on the Pisswig , like , I dunno , a vid of underage girl sex with the p-elect ?
🤔




✌🏻

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

3. I read the law as the Federal "Vaccine" Reform Act three times ...

... before I read it right. And I could not figure out how that applied to appointing cabinet members.

I guess I am getting older. Who knew?

[Deminpenn]

4. Categorize under becareful what you wish for

If Gaetz becomes AG, it will be non-stop scandals. He's a target rich environment for the media who like nothing better than taking down pols with a good scandal. It will be 24/7 Gaetz. He will be the center of attention, not Trump and we all know Trump won't stand for that.