In a move that’s sure to rile up the progressive crowd, the Senate has confirmed former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito as the new Inspector General for the Department of Labor, signaling a tough-on-waste approach to government oversight, as the New York Post reports.

This confirmation, part of a sweeping batch of 97 nominees selected by President Donald Trump, passed with a 53-43 vote late on Thursday after months of Senate gridlock.

For American taxpayers, this is a win. D’Esposito’s role will focus on rooting out fraud and abuse in a department notorious for bureaucratic bloat, potentially saving millions in misspent funds that could otherwise burden working families with higher taxes.

D’Esposito’s Journey to Labor Oversight

Let’s rewind: President Trump nominated D’Esposito for this watchdog position back in April 2025, but a backlog in the Senate kept his confirmation on ice until now.

Before this, D’Esposito made waves by flipping New York’s Nassau County-based 4th district in 2022, only to lose narrowly to Rep. Lauren Gillen (D-NY) in a later election -- a reminder of how tight the political game can be.

His confirmation wasn’t a solo act; it came alongside other Trump picks like James Murphy and Scott Mayer for the National Labor Relations Board, proving the administration is serious about reshaping labor policy.

Senate Rules Changed for Faster Approvals

Senate GOP leadership, tired of Democratic procedural stalling, tweaked the rules in September to speed up confirmations for sub-Cabinet roles like D’Esposito’s.

The result? A staggering 417 Trump nominees confirmed in 2025 alone, outpacing the 365 Joe Biden managed in his first year, showing a Senate ready to get down to business.

As Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) put it, “We began the year by confirming President Trump’s Cabinet faster than any Senate in modern history.”

D’Esposito’s Mission and Critics’ Concerns

D’Esposito himself didn’t mince words about his goals, stating, “Honored to be confirmed as Inspector General of the United States Department of Labor with a clear mission: strong enforcement, real accountability, and protecting American workers and taxpayers.”

He added, “I’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with career civilians and agents to root out fraud, waste, and abuse, combat labor and human trafficking, and enforce the law without fear or favor.”

While that sounds like a breath of fresh air to those fed up with government excess, critics like Rep. Lauren Gillen (D-NY) aren’t buying it, snarking, “Of course, he feels entitled to a taxpayer-funded job as a consolation prize.”

Democratic Pushback and Future Speculation

Gillen didn’t stop there, claiming D’Esposito “cannot be trusted to promote transparency and good governance” -- a jab that smells more of partisan sour grapes than substantive critique.

Some Democrats even whisper that D’Esposito might use this role as a launchpad for another congressional run, a speculation that seems more about fear of his return than evidence of his intent.

For now, though, the focus remains on his new job -- ensuring the Department of Labor doesn’t become a playground for fraudsters or a cash cow for special interests, a mission that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt burned by government inefficiency.