The Shape Of Things To Come

A House Republican shares this theory with me re. Trump’s appointment of Gaetz:

“Sometimes a President appoints to reward a person. All the while, knowing that it will not go through. When it does not go through they can appoint the backup and they have cover for doing so. I suspect MG is not interested in submitting to testifying before the Senate.”

— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) November 13, 2024

“Sometimes a President appoints to reward a person. All the while, knowing that it will not go through. When it does not go through they can appoint the backup and they have cover for doing so. I suspect MG is not interested in submitting to testifying before the Senate.”

He probably doesn’t want to testify.

🚨 🚨BREAKING NEWS FROM @PunchbowlNews :

Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) resignation from Congress came two days before the House Ethics Committee was set to vote on releasing a “highly damaging” report outlining its investigation into the Republican, according to multiple sources…

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 14, 2024

Coincidence? Yeah, right.

I genuinely thought this about Hegseth (and it would make sense re Gaetz and Tulsi, too).

But then there's the idea floated that Trump will recess appoint everyone. https://t.co/JokRe4WrTa

— emptywheel (mr. blue sky) (@emptywheel) November 13, 2024

The Senate hasn’t gone into recess since Obama. Thune is a McConnell disciple. He’ll likely follow McConnell’s practice on the issue, if only to preserve the Senate’s appointment authority. Rick Scott might have tried to give Trump what he wanted. I’m pretty sure the Senators knew that when they elected Thune.

Politics makes strange bedfellows, indeed.