📢The Door to Fascism: Why We Must Stop Recess Appointments
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Could Trump endanger America's safety and security by appointing unqualified or dangerous individuals without congressional oversight?
Friends, please take a moment to look at the photo of the door. Now imagine that by doing nothing and allowing apathy to take hold, you are helping open that door. Along with millions of others who choose inaction, this choice could swing the door wide open to the total rise of fascism in America.
We, as moms, dads, wives, husbands, abuelas, abuelos, aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers, friends, and other community members, refuse to let apathy open the door to fascism. We are the guardians of our families, values, and democracy. We will stand up, speak out, and take action because our love for America and our communities is stronger than fear, and our commitment to justice is greater than complacency. We will not let this happen—not on our watch.
Today, I want to discuss the dangers of a "recess appointment" by Trump—or any president determined to rule over Americans rather than represent them.
What does "recess appointment" mean?
A recess appointment is a temporary appointment made by the President of the United States to fill a federal position, including high-level roles, while the Senate is not in session.
Typically, such appointments require Senate confirmation to ensure a thorough review of the nominee's qualifications, ethics, and potential conflicts of interest.
However, during a recess, the President can bypass this process and install an individual into the role unilaterally. These appointees can serve until the end of the Senate's next session, potentially for up to two years, without ever undergoing formal scrutiny or approval. While recess appointments are constitutionally permitted, they can be controversial, particularly if used to place unvetted or contentious individuals in positions of significant power, bypassing the critical checks and balances intended to safeguard democracy. And that is precisely where we are at this point in history. Trump has already made clear he wants Congress to support his use of recess appointments:
In a Truth Social post on Nov. 10, Trump wrote: "Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner." 1
According to Alexander Hamilton, the Senate's participation was supposed to be a check on "a spirit of favoritism in the president" and to "prevent the appointment of unfit characters." 2
One of Trump’s initial picks, Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, was withdrawn due to the candidate’s involvement in controversy and allegations of sexual assault. In my view, this setback is likely to push Trump to double down on advocating for recess appointments—and here’s why:
Sidney Blumenthal recently shared this background on Trump’s motives in the Guardian:
He wants to break the Senate and crush it under his heel as his first act. Humiliation is the essence of his idea of power.
Trump's cabinet appointments are agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance. The motive for naming his quack nominees is located in his resentments from his sordid first term for which he pledged retribution. He sees the US government in its totality as a bastion of his "enemies within". He intends to shatter every department and agency, root out expertise that might contradict his whims, demolish the balancing power of the Congress that could inhibit him, and trample the law that might stand in his way.
Wrecking the government is not only Trump's technique for gaining submission and compliance, but is his ultimate purpose. He will achieve vindication by tearing down anything he feels was used to restrain his destructive impulses or tried to hold him accountable for his past crimes, whether it is the military, the justice system or science itself. 3
You might be wondering, what's stopping Trump—or any president—from abusing the power of recess appointments? Right now, the main checks are Congress and the Supreme Court, but there's no guarantee either will stand up to Trump.
That's where we come in. It's up to us, the people, to demand action from Congress. We must push them to take a stand and pass legislation NOW requiring all political appointees—no matter how they're appointed—to undergo thorough background checks by the FBI and ethical vetting by the Office of Government Ethics as has always been the norm. Our pressure can make the difference in ensuring these critical safeguards are in place to protect our democracy and we close the door to authoritarianism.
Here are the actions we are asking you to take to protect our rights, freedoms, democracy, rule of law-and our families and communities:
Click here to sign the petition: Don't Let Trump Bypass Your Constitutional Duties
Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress and State lawmakers: Protect Democracy and Prevent Abuse of Recess Appointments
Click here like, comment, and share this post on Facebook. Please share this article on your other social media accounts.
Call your Member of Congress (202) 224-3121 and tell them to make a public statement against using recess appointments to rule over people instead of representing them and to work on and pass legislation that requires all political appointees—no matter how they're appointed—to undergo thorough background checks by the FBI and ethical vetting by the Office of Government Ethics as has always been the norm.
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
People Power United members are committed to championing progress and power to the people. We don't just complain; we do the work to make change happen.
Friends, this is a plea for help with our People Power United efforts. With our membership growing, we're building momentum, but we need your help to reach even more people—every bit of assistance counts. Together, we can make a difference!
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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You're invited: Stop Project 2025
Are you concerned about the direction our country is headed and the far-right agenda threatening our future?
Now is the time to stand up and take action! We invite you to our one-hour training, "Stop Project 2025: Mobilize for Change," presented by People Power United. By joining this training, you'll learn about the real and urgent threat of Project 2025 and why it's essential to mobilize now to stop it. ✨ Join us:
Sunday, December 1st at 7pm Eastern, click here to signup:
Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
In a democracy, the principle that "no one is above the law" is non-negotiable.
Allowing leaders to escape the consequences of their actions sends a dangerous message that power, not justice, prevails—ultimately destabilizing society and giving rise to authoritarianism.
History warns us that unchecked power leads to corruption, oppression, and the silencing of our voices, threatening the freedoms we cherish.
Now, more than ever, we need everyone to step up and stand together. Join us and be part of a movement that demands accountability and justice for all. More resources are coming, but today, please join our Not Above the Law Rapid Response Team and sign on to our Freedom Over Fascism pledge.
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. We are having fun making impactful changes in our community! In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
We joined a group effort to encourage the Senate to move forward with confirming Head of Office of Government Ethics (it worked!)
We sent out several updates and news briefs on our newsletters:
Stay connected, get People Power United on the Substack app
Additional updates can be found here.
Laurie’s Post-Election Message
After living in Florida for over 30 years, I've witnessed firsthand how easily rights, freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law can erode in a red state.
I share with many of you the feelings of deep disappointment in seeing the election of former President Trump and convicted felon to the highest office of President, the loss of the U.S. Senate, and the precarious hold on the U.S. House. This is not just a matter of politics—it's personal.
The day we stop advocating fiercely for our families, friends, co-workers, and communities is the day we surrender to authoritarianism—and that day is not today.
There will be endless analyses, explanations, and debates about what happened and why. I'll share my thoughts when the time is right, but remember this: our voice remains strong.
No one can silence us from speaking out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!
No one can take away our resolve to demand accountability from our leaders to uphold the people's will.
And no one can extinguish our movement for progress and empowerment for every American to thrive.
This experience, like many others, is an opportunity to rethink how we protect and expand the principles we believe in.
We must come together, address this setback, and build a stronger, more resilient movement for the future.
Together with you, I am looking forward to turning this disappointment into a driving force for accountability, justice, and unwavering commitment to the ideals that brought us here.
- Laurie Woodward Garcia
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.
https://source.washu.edu/2024/11/washu-expert-can-trump-bypass-senate-approval-of-controversial-cabinet-nominees/
https://source.washu.edu/2024/11/washu-expert-can-trump-bypass-senate-approval-of-controversial-cabinet-nominees/
https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/trump-cabinet-picks-contempt-rage-vengeance
An excellent article. Very informative.
this is definitely needed to help us know what to do to save our country & therefore the world.