BREAKING: Leader John Thune has just started the process to CONFIRM Trump nominees!
Either they hit OVERDRIVE right now, or most of the 130 nominees waiting will be stalled unless Trump uses recess appointments.
️ John Thune Launches Confirmation Effort
Initiates Confirmation Process
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) has officially launched the process to confirm President Trump’s nominees—cabinet officials, ambassadors, and other high-level appointments—into key administration and judicial positions. He emphasized the need to honor what he called Trump’s “decisive mandate” from voters, committing to a fast-tracked confirmation pace Reddit+15thune.senate.gov+15Reddit+15Capitalism Institute+2Breitbart+2Roll Call+2.
Unprecedented Speed
Under Thune’s leadership, the Senate is confirming nominees at nearly twice the rate seen in Trump’s previous first term (2017) and the Biden administration in 2021 republicanleader.senate.gov+1Capitalism Institute+1. As of early February 2025, 16 Cabinet-level nominees had been confirmed—well ahead of comparable historical benchmarks Roll Call+2republicanleader.senate.gov+2Capitalism Institute+2.
Commitment to ‘Fair Process’
Thune consistently assures that nominees will face full committee hearings, transparency, and opportunities for serious questioning: “They will get a fair process” The Guardian+15The Washington Times+15republicanleader.senate.gov+15.
Institutional Leadership Meets Presidential Pressure
Balancing Act
Despite past criticism of Trump, Thune—widely regarded as an institutional conservative rather than a staunch MAGA loyalist—has aligned with the new Republican majority to move quickly on nominations while still maintaining Senate norms and consultation with GOP colleagues Reddit+4TIME+4Roll Call+4.
Compromise on August Recess
In July 2025, Trump reportedly pushed to cancel the Senate’s August recess entirely to keep the confirmation process rolling. Thune countered with a compromise—potentially working into the first weekend of August to push key votes, while trying to balance GOP lawmakers’ demand for time off Reuters+2Axios+2Axios+2.
What’s Ahead
Challenging Nominees
Controversial picks—including Mike Waltz for U.N. Ambassador, Emil Bove for the Court of Appeals, and Paul Ingrassia for Special Counsel—are facing intraparty resistance. Some Republican senators are expressing hesitation or opposition, complicating unanimous party leadership support CNN+15Axios+15Reuters+15.
Recess Appointments in View?
If delays persist, Thune has signaled openness to recess appointments as a procedural workaround—allowing temporary placement of nominees while bypassing Senate floor votes. However, such tactics risk backlash over perceived executive overreach or legislative bypassing AP News+8The Guardian+8Reddit+8.
Looking Forward
With remaining nominees still in committee or awaiting hearings—including RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel—Thune has said he believes they all “have a path to get there,” though full cooperation and continued procedural push may be required thune.senate.gov+5aol.com+5The Washington Times+5.
✅ Summary Table
Theme Details
Thune’s Role Leading Senate confirmations as Majority Leader with emphasis on speed and honoring presidential mandate
Confirmation Pace Confirmations proceeding at double the historical pace of comparable periods
Process Integrity Committees, hearings, transparency emphasized; “fair process” promised
Pressure & Compromise Managing internal GOP tensions over August recess and Trump demands
Upcoming Challenges Controversial nominees, possibility of recess appointments, Senate resistance
Thune’s leadership is aimed at rapidly installing Trump’s Cabinet and senior positions, while still preserving Senate norms—although friction over controversial nominees and potential recess-day votes underscores escalating pressure.