Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito confirmed by Senate as Labor Department watchdog

Island Park resident and former U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 18 to serve as inspector general for the federal Department of Labor.

D’Esposito’s nomination was advanced earlier this month by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on a narrow, party-line vote of 12–11, before receiving final confirmation by the full Senate.

Despite his confirmation to the oversight role, it is widely understood in political circles that the former Republican congressman is expected to challenge Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen of Rockville Centre in the 2026 election, setting up a potential rematch in New York’s 4th Congressional District.

D’Esposito and Gillen have already faced off twice. D’Esposito defeated Gillen in the 2022 election, flipping the South Shore Nassau County district for Republicans. Two years later, Gillen reclaimed the seat, defeating D’Esposito in the 2024 election.

In a post on his official Facebook page following his confirmation, D’Esposito wrote, “Thank you President Donald J. Trump for your trust and leadership.”

A former NYPD detective, D’Esposito served in law enforcement for more than two decades before entering politics. He later held local elected positions as an Island Park fire commissioner and as a Town of Hempstead councilman.

During his single term in Congress, D’Esposito served on the House Homeland Security Committee, the Committee on House Administration, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

As inspector general, D’Esposito will be responsible for overseeing audits and investigations within the Department of Labor, with a mandate to prevent waste, fraud and abuse and ensure compliance with federal laws protecting workers and employers. He succeeds Larry Turner, who was dismissed shortly after Trump took office.