Senate leader candidate John Thune responds to Trump’s new litmus test ahead of the election

FIRST ON FOX: Senate Minority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., responded to President-elect Donald Trump’s newly announced litmus test for those vying to become the next GOP leader, telling Fox News Digital exclusively that he is in favor is open and that “all options are available”. on the table.”

Trump said Sunday that whoever the new leader is “will have to approve the appointments during recess (in the Senate!), without which we won’t be able to confirm people in a timely manner.”

Recess appointments refer to the president’s ability to fill federal vacancies that arise during the Senate’s recess. This power is spelled out in the recess appointment clause of the Constitution. In order for the president to make these appointments unilaterally, Congress must be in recess.

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“I have spent eight months listening carefully to my colleagues about their vision for the next chapter of the Senate Republican Conference, especially as we embark on President Trump,” Thune said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital.

“One thing is clear: we must act quickly and decisively to bring together the President’s Cabinet and other nominees as quickly as possible to begin fulfilling the mandate we were charged with carrying out, and all options are on the table, “We cannot allow Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats to block the will of the American people,” he continued.

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Trump’s request for the new Senate Republican leader to approve the recess appointments comes after his battle in 2020 with a divided Congress that refused to adjourn when he asked so that he could make key appointments amid the COVID-19 pandemic could enforce.

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Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“If the House of Representatives does not agree to this adjournment, I will exercise my constitutional authority to adjourn both houses of Congress,” he threatened at the time. “The current practice of skipping town while holding bogus pro forma meetings is a dereliction of duty that the American people cannot afford during this crisis. It is a fraud they are perpetrating.”

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Senators John Thune, John Cornyn and Rick Scott are candidates in the race to replace Mitch McConnell as leader. (Getty Images)

One of Thune’s opponents in the race, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, quickly agreed with Trump, writing on X: “I agree 100%. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.”

He is also running against Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Cornyn has not yet responded directly to Trump’s latest request, but he told X on Saturday: “The first order of business in the new Senate should be to confirm President Trump’s Cabinet. If I am the majority leader, I will keep the Senate in session until these confirmations occur.

“No weekends, no breaks. Democrats can work together in the best interests of the country or continue resistance that will eventually be crushed. Make your choice,” he said.

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The election will be held by secret ballot on November 13th.

Trump has not endorsed the race or said whether he plans to do so.