Recess appointments would allow Donald Trump to appoint his nominees while the Senate is not in session, skirting the confirmation process.

“Republican control of the Senate thus gives Trump the chance to use recess appointments in radically new way — basically, standing up a new government in one fell swoop, but only if the Senate is willing to give him carte blanche in filling appointments as he wishes for two years,” Cameron said.

With President-elect Trump building his Cabinet, the idea of recess appointments has been floated, but what are they and how can they be used?