Staff Reports
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has tossed a curveball into the ongoing discussions about Matt Gaetz’s potential confirmation as Attorney General, and it’s about as direct as a straight-talker like Massie can get. When asked whether he believes Gaetz will secure Senate confirmation, Massie didn’t hesitate to emphasize the beauty of “recess appointments.” His blunt approach makes clear that there may be alternative paths to power beyond Senate approval.
The left-leaning media might disregard the wisdom of the Founding Fathers, but not Massie. Acknowledging the Recess Appointments Clause from Article II of the Constitution, he essentially said that whether the Senate is in session or not, Donald Trump can still take action. It’s a clever move worthy of all the political playbooks put together. Come January, if the Senate wants to sit on its hands while Trump tries to get Gaetz into that critical role, the President has a backup plan.
Massie on if Senate Will Confirm Gaetz as AG: 'Recess Appointments' https://t.co/BIPKirgNO7
— Tom O’Reilly (@interactivleads) November 14, 2024
Massie’s remarks are dismissive of Senate opposition, signaling that it’s time for the political establishment to “suck it up.” His comments underscore a growing frustration among conservatives about the gridlock often seen in Washington. If senators don’t want to approve necessary appointments, then perhaps it’s time to sidestep them altogether. If this sounds like a modern-day revival of executive power, it can certainly be attributed to a political imperative to keep things moving forward, regardless of partisan roadblocks.
Of course, this comes in the wake of Trump declaring Gaetz as his choice for Attorney General. When the former President calls Gaetz a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney,” it’s clear he intends to bring along a staunch ally who understands the push and pull of Washington politics. Having been educated at the esteemed William & Mary College of Law, Gaetz stands ready to tackle the challenges facing the Attorney General’s office. His impressive background may serve as reassurance for those concerned about the fight ahead.
Opposition may arise, but Massie’s advocacy for utilizing recess appointments shows that while the mainstream media might fret, there are still strategic ways to navigate the political landscape. In an era where progress often gets stymied by partisan squabbles in the Senate, it appears the Trump administration is gearing up to remind everyone: if you want something done, sometimes you just have to bypass the bureaucratic maneuvers and get it done, even if it requires a bit of clever lawyering. With an impending confirmation and a tenacious Attorney General in Gaetz, one can expect sparks to fly in the upcoming term.
