Today, Les, Jess, Matt, and Bishop break down the Senate stalemate on key nominations across the Trump Administration. With important ambassadorships unconfirmed, including the UN, EU, and across Latin America, and critical leadership roles like CISA Director stuck in limbo, the national security implications are stacking up.

Is this just another round of partisan gridlock or a sign of deeper institutional breakdown? As Democratic senators block cloture votes and recess appointments remain off the table, what message are we sending to the world when our key posts go unfilled?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: 

https://apnews.com/article/senate-confirmations-nominations-trump-schumer-thune-905a63d0046319eeb7c266d5e24e70b6 

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/03/nx-s1-5491414/senate-confirmations-trump-schumer 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@BishopGarrison

@WMattHayden

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