Do you believe the president has the right to choose his cabinet members?

The President of the United States has multiple responsibilities, which he can delegate to department heads of his choosing, according to the Constitution. This is critical for the safe and efficient functioning of the Executive Branch.

The president should be able to surround himself with people he can trust and who are aligned with his administrative goals and values. Historically, Congress has affirmed this right, and it should continue to do so, including for President-elect Donald Trump. 

Several years ago, former Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) said, “I think the president has a right to choose his cabinet. … As long as those members have integrity, haven’t misrepresented things, or haven’t done things which were improper.”

Gregg was right. So was Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) when he said, in 2021: “We need qualified Senate-confirmed people (not in an acting capacity) in key national security positions on Day One, including Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and others.”

Will you contact your senators today, and encourage them to affirm Trump’s nominees in a timely manner, barring any major issues? We’ve created a suggested message for you, which you can edit to reflect your exact point of view.