Trump’s bold moves to test loyalties of GOP senators

President-elect Trump is testing the loyalty of Senate Republicans, calling on them to allow him to make recess appointments to the executive and judicial branches without the advice and consent of the Senate.

Republicans are also bracing for Trump to pardon many of the people convicted of Jan. 6, 2021-related crimes, a step that a number of GOP senators who lived through the Capitol riot would not approve of.

And Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on imports that many GOP lawmakers worry would hurt the economy.

“He’s always pushed the limits of his presidential power, and Congress is a separate branch of government that will have to assert its authority when warranted,” said a Senate Republican aide, who argued that GOP senators would assert their independence if Trump goes too far.