Can Trump appoint Matt Gaetz without Senate confirmation? Here's what to know about recess appointments

Washington — President-elect Donald Trump's selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general is his most controversial Cabinet pick yet, and the Florida Republican is likely to face obstacles in the confirmation process. 

But Trump is seeking an important change to the Senate confirmation process that would allow him to install some officials and sidestep lengthy hearings and a floor vote, in which nominees need a majority vote to be confirmed. 

Before Senate Republicans elected their leaders for the 119th Congress, Trump demanded that the candidates agree to recess appointments, which would give him the option of bypassing the Senate's role of approving or rejecting the president's nominations. Trump argued that without the ability to temporarily install nominees he would not be able to fill the positions in a timely manner.