Staff Reports
In a recent episode of “Life, Liberty & Levin,” Mark Levin delved into a weighty issue concerning how a newly elected president interacts with Congress, specifically the Senate, in the context of appointing candidates to high-level positions in government. Levin’s main contention is that the system is rigged against incoming presidents, particularly those of the Republican party, fundamentally altering how the government operates and threatening the principles laid down in the Constitution.
According to Levin, when a new president takes office, they want to install their appointees in important roles to fulfill promises made to voters. However, he pointed out that numerous obstacles can hinder this process, chiefly the extensive bureaucracy consisting of about 2.5 million bureaucrats. This situation creates a scenario where real lawmaking power does not rest with Congress but is instead held by unelected officials. Levin argues that this undermines representative government and the separation of powers, leading to a significant imbalance in how laws are made and enforced in the United States.
Levin expressed concern over the Democrats’ systematic attempts to block President Trump’s nominees. He suggested that this trend is a deliberate strategy to weaken the incoming administration’s effectiveness even before it can start implementing policies. This maneuvering is not limited to Democrats; he noted that some establishment Republicans may prefer the status quo with the bloated bureaucracy rather than allowing reform-minded leaders to alter the system. Levin believes this backdrop of political obstruction is one of the largest threats to government functioning and the will of the American people.
Interestingly, Levin highlighted a historical shift in how presidents have been treated regarding their nominations. In previous decades, the Senate rejected very few nominees, but this has changed dramatically. Since 1961, tactics to stall or block presidential appointments have become more common, and President Trump has faced unprecedented challenges in getting his nominees confirmed. Levin pointed out that Trump had approximately 100 nominees returned to the White House, a historical high, which he argues shows the extent of obstruction and its effects on a new administration’s ability to function.
One key example Levin shared was the extensive use of recess appointment power—a provision allowing the president to fill vacancies without Senate confirmation when the Senate is not in session. He emphasized that this practice has been used by many presidents throughout U.S. history and argued that concerns regarding its misuse are often exaggerated. Instead, he asserts that this is a constitutional tool available to presidents to overcome Senate gridlock, and there is no justification for demonizing Trump for utilizing a strategy employed by many predecessors.
In closing, Levin’s passionate analysis stressed that the current political landscape is fraught with an ongoing battle between the elected president and an entrenched bureaucratic system resistant to change. He called for accountability and reform, urging a return to a government operating as intended by the Constitution. The tension between incoming administrations and the Senate—and broader implications of bureaucratic resistance in policymaking—serves as a stark reminder of challenges facing any president aiming to fulfill campaign promises and effectively govern the nation.
