A Democratic senator warned Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump's push for recess nominations might spell the end of the U.S. Senate.
Speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper after the announcement that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was Trump's pick for attorney general, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said he saw jaws drop among his colleagues.
"Matt Gaetz is dangerously unqualified," Murphy said, warning that a lot of Republicans will struggle to support his nomination.
"Gaetz has been Trump's chief defender when it comes to Trump's assault on democracy," Murphy continued. "His attempt to overthrow the government on Jan. 6th, and he has openly called for the abolition of law enforcement agencies if they don't get in line with conservative political priorities.
"This is going to be a red alert moment for American democracy."
He went on to say that he believes a Gaetz appointment is designed to turn the Justice Department into a body designed to prosecute and persecute Trump's political enemies.
"This is a stunning announcement in some ways, but not surprising in others," he said. "Trump told us during the campaign that he was going to use the White House to go after people who politically opposed him, and it seems this pick for the head of the Department of Justice is very much in line with the promises he made during the campaign."
ALSO READ: Do not submit: Your guide to a way out of this catastrophic mess
Tapper asked Murphy about a possible recess appointment for someone like Gaetz, using a clause in the Constitution that allows the temporary filling of federal offices without confirmation if the Senate is not in session.
Trump wrote on Truth Social last weekend that a Senate majority leader should be chosen who is willing to call recesses that would allow him to sidestep the confirmation process.
"That would be the end of the United States Senate," Murphy predicted.
"If the Senate chooses to end its power of advice and consent and just allow the president to choose without any input, confirmation process, or approval of his cabinet — I don't know why we would show up to work. That's not a democracy anymore."
See the interview below or at the link here.