The United States Constitution's Article II clearly establishes that the president nominates and the Senate confirms.

Temporary recess appointments are permitted only for vacancies that "may happen during the Recess of the Senate."

These provisions do not grant the president authority to orchestrate a recess for the sole purpose of bypassing oversight, nor to appoint individuals en masse without Senate approval.

But this is exactly what Donald Trump is trying to do.

With the help of the incoming Republican Senate Majority Leader and Senate Republicans, Trump wants to sidestep the Senate confirmation process entirely to push through his appointees—unilaterally filling over a thousand positions without any congressional oversight!

This is yet another alarming step toward authoritarian rule. Trump, who openly called for the Constitution's "termination" after losing in 2020, now seeks to erode another pillar of democratic governance. By forfeiting its power to confirm nominees, the Senate would willingly sabotage its role in our system of government. In their rush to appease Trump, lawmakers risk dismantling their own authority, ceding all power to an unchecked executive branch.

Beyond the structural damage to democracy, there is the practical necessity of vetting appointees for competence, integrity, and resilience against exploitation. These individuals will have access to our nation's most sensitive secrets. Ensuring their trustworthiness is not partisan -- it is essential to national security. The American people, regardless of political affiliation, have a right to safeguard the republic from the dangers of espionage and corruption.

Please sign our urgent petition and demand that the U.S. Senate protect the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches by standing firm against Trump's overreach. The petition says:

Reports that incoming President Trump would use his authority to adjourn Congress and push through a slate of recess appointments are deeply concerning.

I urge you to do everything you can to maintain the crucial checks and balances that underpin our government, that includes refusing any attempts to sideline the confirmation process.