President Donald Trump just added another record to his growing list of accomplishments. In 2025 alone, the Senate has confirmed 417 of his nominees — blowing past Joe Biden’s first-year total of 365 and doing it at a pace modern Washington hasn’t seen before. That’s what happens when results matter more than excuses.
Senate Republicans confirmed nearly 100 Trump nominees to close out the year, including 97 approved Thursday in a 53–43 vote. The final push capped off a relentless confirmation blitz led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, after Republicans took control of the chamber in January and got to work — fast.
It wasn’t easy. Republicans had to overcome intraparty disagreements, pass Trump’s signature “one big, beautiful bill,” and reopen the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. But the biggest hurdle? A coordinated campaign of blanket obstruction by Senate Democrats, who objected to virtually every nomination — even the most routine, low-level government posts. Apparently, elections only count when Democrats win.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming summed it up bluntly, noting that Republicans began the year by confirming Trump’s Cabinet faster than any Senate in modern history — before hitting what he called “unprecedented obstruction from the Democratic minority.”
By September, Republicans had enough. They went nuclear, changing the vote threshold for sub-Cabinet positions and clearing the logjam Democrats intentionally created. Since then, confirmations have surged, bringing Trump’s total to 417 in a single year — a clear demonstration of resolve and leadership.
Thune didn’t sugarcoat what was happening, accusing Democrats — led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — of engaging in petty political revenge because they couldn’t accept the will of the American people.
“Democrats cannot deal with the fact that the American people elected President Trump,” Thune said, calling the obstruction pointless and purely political.
The strategy worked. A backlog that once ballooned to nearly 150 stalled nominees has been slashed to just 15 remaining. Among those confirmed are former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito of New York as inspector general at the Department of Labor, James Murphy and Scott Mayer to the National Labor Relations Board, and dozens of qualified professionals across nearly every federal agency.
Republicans are also moving to confirm Joshua Simmons, Trump’s pick for CIA special counsel, while continuing negotiations over a large spending package tying together five appropriations bills. Predictably, Democrats are again objecting, threatening delays as lawmakers prepare to leave Washington. Some habits never change.
Still, Thune made it clear Thursday night: the priority is getting Trump’s nominees across the finish line — and they’re doing exactly that.
At the end of the day, this record-breaking confirmation spree sends a clear message: under President Trump, governance doesn’t stall, leadership doesn’t fold, and America moves forward. And that’s something worth ending the year on a high note.
