Prior to Wednesday’s Senate leadership election, Trump demanded that Thune and his opponents, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, commit to allowing him to use a process known as “recess appointments,” where Cabinet officials are instated without Senate approval when Congress is out of session.

U.S. Rep. John Curtis won Utah's U.S. Senate race Tuesday to replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney, the AP called right as polls closed at 8pm. The big picture: Environmental issues were a focal point in this year's race as Curtis,