The results of the US presidential election have clearly accepted Donald Trump as the next head of state. While Joe Biden is now busy preparing for his farewell, the American administration is busy preparing for the formation of a new government, in which Trump’s swearing-in is only a small part. An important part is the process of selection and appointment of ministers according to the new President. While in India ministers are required to be MPs, in America all ministers are of the President’s choice (suggested), but their approval is required from the Senate, a process that prevents the President from making arbitrary appointments. Can control it, but will this really be possible in the case of Donald Trump? Let us understand this completely. Cabinet Appointment: In America, ministers are called secretaries and the names of their departments are also somewhat different from the popular names. Like there the Foreign Minister is called the Secretary of State. And the Finance Minister is called Secretary of Treasurer. Such major appointments are called cabinet appointments. These appointments also include heads of major agencies of the country like CIA, FBI, who do not have the rank of minister. Usually the Senate agrees to the names suggested by the President, but it can also reject the disputed name if it wishes. Therefore, it becomes important for the President’s party to have majority in the Senate. What is the provision in the Constitution? In a country like India, it is necessary for a minister to be an MP, in America there is no such condition to become a minister. Article 2 of the US Constitution makes it clear that the President, despite being the executive, appoints certain positions described in the Constitution and other positions established by law with the “advice and consent” of senators. If the Senate is in recess, the President can make temporary appointments. How many posts require Senate approval? Too many! The Partnership for Public Service tracks approximately 1,200 positions, most of which are well below Cabinet level, requiring Senate approval. Although the President probably does not have a personal role in most of them. They are handled by newly confirmed heads of their staff or agencies. There is a provision for the consent of the Senate in the US Constitution. (Symbolic photo: Canva) This process begins when the President-elect nominates his chosen people for key officials immediately after winning the election. Normally this process starts even before the elections. But once the names are formally declared after the election results, the Senate first starts hearing on the approval or consent of the appointments. Committee Hearing “The hearing is held in a committee that has jurisdiction over the department for which the nominee has been nominated. At these hearings, which can last for hours, committee members are given the opportunity to ask the nominee questions, often about their background and policy positions. Scrutiny and Voting: The nominated person also has to disclose his/her income, property etc., just as the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha candidates of India give information to the Election Commission while contesting elections. If necessary, the committee can also investigate all the information given. After this, voting takes place in the committee, after which voting takes place in the entire Senate. Donald Trump has indicated that he would like to avoid the Senate approval process for some presidential appointments. (Symbolic photo: Wikimedia Commons) Can an appointment be made without Senate approval? Generally, rejection of a name is a very rare exception in the entire approval process, because the possibility of rejection of a name is known in advance and usually in advance. Preparations are made to ensure that the name is not rejected. But sometimes some names become risky. In such a situation, the discussion about Senate approval gains momentum. The same is happening this time too because ahead of his second term, Trump has indicated his willingness to bypass the Senate confirmation process by using recess appointments. Also read: When all humans will disappear from the earth, this animal will rule the entire world, claims scientist! Recess appointments are appointments made without Senate consent because the Senate is not in session, delaying the consent process and allowing the person to remain in office for a period of time. Since all this happens during the recess of the Senate, it is called recess appointments. But this arrangement is also temporary. In such a situation, it remains to be seen how much Trump is able to use it. Tags: US Congress, US President, US Presidential Election 2024FIRST PUBLISHED : November 17, 2024, 13:04 IST
