The slow pace of President Donald Trump to fill political appointments is likely a "sign of neglect," The Washington Post explained Friday in an opinion piece.
The Senate has confirmed less than half of the president's nominees to fill vacancies throughout the administration, the article explained. Trump has nominated 277 people for the more than 1,100 requiring Senate confirmation. To date, the Senate has confirmed 124. These numbers represent the slowest pace in 40 years, according to the Post.
"We doubt Mr. Trump wants to gut his own administration. More likely the slow pace is a sign of neglect. He should put renewed effort into turning the lights on in management offices all over town, simply out of interest in advancing his own agenda," the article read.
Trump's cabinet has numerous vacancies, with fewer than ten percent of "key political appointees in place" at the Labor, Agriculture and Energy Departments. Eight other agencies have less than 25 percent.
One exception is the Department of Health and Human Services, which has "82 percent of its political appointees nominated and 42 percent filled."The Post noted a sense of urgency in filling the positions, which it explained had the responsibility to "hammer out policy and then execute it." The article maintained the pace of the Senate to approve nominees was "now on a par with those for previous presidents," citing the nonpartisan White House Transition Project.
"Surely in this nation of 323 million people there are good candidates for top government positions. They need to be found, nominated and confirmed," the Post concluded.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.