Thune’s ‘Old-Fashioned’ Style Guides Trump Era Senate/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senate Majority Leader John Thune is managing a delicate balancing act between institutional tradition and President Trump’s aggressive political agenda. By pushing Cabinet confirmations the “old-fashioned way,” Thune has so far maintained Trump’s trust while keeping Senate processes intact. But as controversial appointments and policy battles grow, the pressure on Thune is building.
Thune’s Leadership Style: Quick Looks
- Late-Night Votes: Senate worked until 2 a.m. to confirm top military roles
- Cabinet Confirmations: Fastest in two decades under Thune’s leadership
- Old-School Strategy: Thune advised Trump to let Senate “grind it out”
- Controversial Picks: Some Trump appointees spark national security concerns
- Checks and Balances: Thune says Senate remains a constitutional safeguard
- Tariff Pause: Trump’s trade shift reflects internal GOP pushback
- Past Friction: Thune and Trump now cooperating after rocky first term
- Upcoming Challenge: GOP eyes tax reform and budget cuts this session
Thune’s ‘Old-Fashioned’ Style Guides Trump Era Senate
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — In the early hours of Friday morning, Senate Majority Leader John Thune stood at the helm of a chamber still hard at work. The final vote — confirming retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — came just after 2 a.m., capping what has been a grueling yet productive start to the Senate’s year.
Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, has taken a measured and institutionalist approach in his new leadership role, navigating the fast-moving, high-stakes world of President Donald Trump’s second term. His strategy? Lean into Senate tradition and legislative patience — what he calls the “old-fashioned way.”
“Let us do this the old-fashioned way and just use the clock and grind it out,” Thune told Trump, urging the president not to bypass the confirmation process through recess appointments.
Senate Speed Meets Trump’s Demands
That strategy has worked — for now. Thune has delivered the fastest Cabinet confirmations in 20 years, showing Trump that the Senate can perform while preserving its role in vetting presidential appointments.
But not all of Trump’s picks have come without controversy. Some have quickly become embroiled in ethical and security concerns, including:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, under scrutiny for alleged sharing of classified information via Signal, an encrypted messaging app
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose aggressive support for tariffs has clashed with traditional GOP trade policy
These appointments have forced Senate Republicans to serve as both defenders and internal critics of the president’s team.
“Everybody wants to see [Trump] succeed, but we also want to make sure we’re calibrating the impact of these policy shifts,” Thune said.
Balancing Act with the White House
Thune’s relationship with Trump — once strained — has evolved into a careful collaboration. Unlike the breakdown between Trump and former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during his first term, Thune has maintained open channels while offering subtle course correction.
His leadership will soon face greater tests as Republicans gear up to push through a massive reconciliation bill with tax cuts and spending reductions — legislation that will likely define Trump’s second term.
“Everybody’s got to be rolling in the same direction,” Thune said, acknowledging the importance of unity.
Senate’s Role as Constitutional Check
Though Trump has taken a sweeping executive approach in reshaping federal governance — from mass layoffs to disruptive foreign policy decisions — Thune insists the Senate must retain its identity as a check and balance.
“Our job is to support the president and his agenda,” Thune explained, “but also to be the check and balance the Founders intended.”
Still, Democrats argue the GOP has been too compliant. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona criticized Trump’s disregard for international norms, including comments about taking control of Canada and Greenland, and undermining NATO alliances.
“We need Republicans to get off the sidelines,” Kelly said. “But I give Thune credit — he’s kept the Senate functioning.”
Thune’s Style: Efficiency and Inclusion
Known for his discipline and athleticism — Thune is a former runner — he’s sought to streamline Senate procedures. One example: he allowed a vote to proceed without waiting to cast his own vote while meeting with the president.
He also pledged more open debate, allowing individual senators to have greater input on legislation, a promise that helped him win the leadership contest.
Early bipartisan victories under Thune’s guidance include:
- Fentanyl trafficking penalties
- Detainment requirements for undocumented immigrants charged with violent crimes
Still, much of the chamber’s time has been spent on confirmations, leaving little room for broader legislative work — a reality that Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) acknowledged.
“Thune’s done a great job, but we’ve been consumed by confirmations,” Schmitt said.
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