President Donald Trump has called on Senate Republicans to skip their planned August recess to expedite the confirmation of his remaining nominees, but Democrats are employing delay tactics, particularly on contentious appointments. Key nominees like Jeanine Pirro, Emil Bove, Mike Waltz, and Paul Ingrassia face significant opposition, with some cases involving allegations of unethical conduct. Senate Republicans are exploring ways to bypass the delays, including potentially cutting the August recess to continue the confirmation process.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, has expressed willingness to keep lawmakers in town over the weekend if Democrats don’t relent on the issue. The Senate has confirmed nearly 100 nominees this year, but the pace has slowed in recent weeks, adding pressure on GOP leaders to find a resolution. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has accused Bove, a former Trump attorney, of being unfit for his role due to alleged past conduct.
Bove, who served as Trump’s personal attorney, was nominated for a lifetime appointment to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but Democrats have blocked his confirmation, citing concerns over his past behavior. He has been a particular target of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has accused him of being a ‘Trumpian henchman.’ Despite the resistance, Bove is nearing the end of his confirmation process.
Pirro, a former Fox News host, was tapped for the role of top federal prosecutor in D.C., but she has faced resistance from Democrats. While her nomination has moved forward, it has not faced the same level of scrutiny as Bove’s. Trump’s nomination of Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has also been delayed, though he advanced out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Ingrassia, a former law student, was pulled from a list of nominees for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, citing concerns over his connections with a white nationalist and his limited legal experience. His nomination as special counsel has been stalled, highlighting the challenges faced by some of Trump’s appointees. The situation has sparked discussions about the process of judicial confirmations and the role of the Senate in shaping the federal judiciary.