Donald Trump blocked by US Senate from making government appointments during summer recess

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US politicians have blocked Donald Trump from making appointments without their permission as the Senate begins its summer break.

Senators unanimously agreed to hold nine short “pro-forma” sessions during the break, which runs from 11 August to 5 September.

It means the Senate will be in session every three days throughout August.

Democrats had suggested they would use the procedure to block the US President after it was suggested Mr Trump would try to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions during recess, The Hill reported.

Mr Sessions has faced an onslaught of criticism from the former real estate mogul after recusing himself from the investigation into Russian collusion in the US elections.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said the party was ready to use “tools in our toolbox” to block a summer appointment.

"We're ready to use every single one of them, any time, day or night. It's so vital to the future of the republic," the senior Democrat said.

Mr Trump is not the first president to be blocked from making appointments by Congress.

Former president Barack Obama was blocked from filling a vacant Supreme Court seat last year.

Pro-forma sessions require a senator to be in Washington during the recess, to open and close session in a brief one-minute meeting.

The US Constitution says neither the Senate nor the House "can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other."