Trump Urges Senate to Cancel August Recess Confirm 160 Nominees

President Donald Trump has called on the U.S. Senate to cancel its scheduled August recess and remain in session to confirm his backlog of approximately 160 executive branch nominees. Trump made these demands through multiple posts on his Truth Social platform, urging Republican senators to "do your job" and clear the Executive Calendar without delay, framing it as essential for the country's health and safety. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed openness to the idea of canceling the recess and suggested that Trump could also use his constitutional authority to make recess appointments, allowing nominees to serve until the next congressional session ends. The Senate confirmation process has been slowed by Democrats, who Republicans accuse of deliberately delaying votes on Trump's nominees, prompting Thune to consider changing Senate rules or other methods to speed confirmations. Trump's frustration extends to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, whom he has urged to abandon longstanding procedures to expedite confirmations, though Grassley has publicly rejected these criticisms. The impasse reflects broader partisan tensions, with Republicans pushing to advance Trump's agenda while Democrats resist, resulting in a significant backlog of nominees awaiting Senate approval.