Trump Demands Removal of Senate Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
Former President Donald Trump publicly and privately pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled that $1 billion in security funding for a White House ballroom could not be included in a budget reconciliation bill. Trump falsely claimed MacDonough was appointed by Barack Obama and accused her of bias. Thune refused, calling the process standard. Trump also urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster and pass the SAVE Act voter ID law, escalating tensions with GOP leadership.
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Trump Tells Thune to Fire Senate Parliamentarian, Testing Grip on Senate Republicans
President Donald Trump publicly called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to immediately fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, accusing her of treating Republicans unfairly. The demand follows MacDonough's rulings that the GOP-backed SAVE America Act voter ID bill and $1 billion in funding for Trump's ballroom project require 60 votes to pass, not a simple majority. This is the latest sign of growing tensions between Trump and Thune, who has repeatedly broken with Trump on key issues, including opposing Trump's 2020 election claims, endorsing Tim Scott over Trump in 2024, criticizing Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, and maintaining support for Sen. John Cornyn against Trump's endorsed opponent. Trump's call has energized MAGA loyalists who already opposed Thune's leadership, with figures like Steve Bannon and Nick Sortor publicly attacking Thune. The parliamentarian serves at the pleasure of the majority leader, giving Thune the authority to fire her.
Forbes - BusinessTrump urges Thune to fire Senate parliamentarian to advance SAVE America Act
President Donald Trump on Monday called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to immediately fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. Trump argued that removing the parliamentarian would clear the procedural path for Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act. The legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot. The move reflects Trump's ongoing pressure on Republican leadership to bypass traditional Senate rules and expedite the voting rights bill, which critics say could disenfranchise eligible voters. The parliamentarian's role is to advise on Senate rules and procedures, and firing her would be an unprecedented step in modern Senate history.
Just In NewsTrump Attacks Senate Parliamentarian Over Budget Ruling; Thune Resists
President Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Truth Social, demanding Senate Majority Leader John Thune fire her after she struck $1 billion in Secret Service funding—including $220 million for a White House ballroom—from a budget reconciliation bill. Trump claimed MacDonough, appointed by a Democrat, caters to Democrats and blocks his 'Save America Act.' However, Thune's spokesperson signaled deference to the Byrd rule process, stating 'Redraft. Refine. Resubmit.' The article also reports that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is largely disengaged from his duties, arriving late, leaving early, and rarely attending division head meetings, even during public health crises like measles outbreaks and Ebola.
The New RepublicTrump Demands Firing of Senate Parliamentarian Over Budget Ruling
President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, calling for her immediate firing by Majority Leader John Thune. The dispute stems from MacDonough's decision to strike $1 billion in Secret Service funding from a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill, including $220 million for construction of a White House ballroom, ruling the funds fell outside the Judiciary Committee's immigration enforcement jurisdiction. Trump claims MacDonough, appointed by a Democrat, caters to Democrats and blocks his 'Save America Act.' However, Thune's office responded with deference to the parliamentary process, stating 'Redraft. Refine. Resubmit.' The article also briefly covers HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s reported disengagement from his duties, including arriving late, leaving early, and failing to lead during health crises like measles outbreaks.
The New RepublicTrump Demands Firing of Senate Parliamentarian Over Budget Ruling
President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, calling for her immediate firing by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused MacDonough of treating Republicans 'horribly' and claimed she caters to Democrats because she was appointed by a Democrat. The dispute stems from MacDonough's recent decision to strike $1 billion in Secret Service funding from a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill, including an estimated $220 million for construction of a White House ballroom, ruling the funds fell outside the Judiciary Committee's immigration enforcement jurisdiction. Trump argued the ruling blocks his 'Save America Act.' However, Thune's office responded with deference to the process, stating 'Redraft. Refine. Resubmit. None of this is abnormal during a Byrd process.' The article highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Senate Republicans over legislative procedures.
The New RepublicTrump Rebuffed on Demand to Fire Senate Parliamentarian
President Trump requested that Senate Majority Leader John Thune fire the Senate Parliamentarian for blocking his request to include $1 billion for White House security in a budget reconciliation bill. The request was met with bipartisan outrage and was ultimately dropped due to insufficient votes. The incident highlights tensions between the executive branch and Senate procedural rules, as well as the political challenges of passing budget measures.
Just In NewsTrump Targets Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
President Donald Trump has called for the removal of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled that $1 billion in security funding for a new White House ballroom could not be included in the Republican budget reconciliation bill under the Byrd Rule. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed concern over Trump's targeting of the nonpartisan official, who has held the position since 2012. The ballroom funding has since been removed from the spending bill, according to Republican Sen. John Kennedy. Trump also reiterated demands to pass the Save America Act and terminate the Senate filibuster, warning Republican senators their jobs are at risk. Democratic leaders celebrated the parliamentarian's ruling as a victory.
TIMETrump Attacks Senate Parliamentarian, Demands Voter ID Law in Reconciliation Fight
Former President Donald Trump publicly attacked Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Truth Social, calling for her removal after she blocked a $1 billion security funding provision for Trump's White House ballroom from a budget reconciliation bill. Trump falsely claimed MacDonough was appointed by President Obama and accused her of bias against Republicans. He urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire her, but Thune declined, stating the process is standard. Trump also demanded Republicans 'kill the filibuster' and pass the SAVE Act voter ID bill, warning that failure would lead to Democratic dominance. The article highlights Trump's escalating conflict with Republican leadership over procedural rules and his push for voter restrictions.
The New RepublicTrump Attacks Senate Parliamentarian, Demands Voter ID Law in Reconciliation Dispute
Donald Trump publicly attacked Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Truth Social, demanding her removal after she blocked a $1 billion security funding provision for Trump's White House ballroom from a budget reconciliation bill. Trump incorrectly claimed she was appointed by Barack Obama and accused her of bias against Republicans. He also urged Republicans to 'kill the filibuster' and pass the SAVE Act voter ID bill, warning that failure would lead to Democratic dominance. Senate Majority Leader John Thune refused to fire MacDonough, stating the process is standard. The article highlights Trump's escalating conflict with Republican leadership over procedural rules and his push for election-related legislation.
The New RepublicTrump Attacks Senate Parliamentarian, Demands Voter ID Law in Budget Fight
Former President Donald Trump publicly attacked Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Truth Social, demanding her removal for blocking inclusion of SAVE Act provisions and a $1 billion White House ballroom security fund in a budget reconciliation bill. Trump incorrectly claimed MacDonough was appointed by President Obama; she was appointed by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2012. Trump urged Republicans to 'kill the filibuster' and pass the voter ID law, warning of electoral consequences. Senate Majority Leader John Thune refused Trump's request to fire MacDonough, stating the process is standard. The article highlights Trump's escalating conflict with Republican leadership over procedural rules and legislative strategy.
The New RepublicTrump Attacks Senate Parliamentarian, Demands Voter ID Law in Reconciliation Fight
Former President Donald Trump publicly attacked Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Truth Social, calling for her removal after she blocked a $1 billion security funding provision for Trump's White House ballroom from a Republican budget reconciliation bill. Trump falsely claimed MacDonough was appointed by President Obama and accused her of bias against Republicans. He urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire her, but Thune declined, stating the process is standard. Trump also demanded Republicans 'kill the filibuster' and pass the SAVE Act voter ID bill, warning that failure would lead to Democratic dominance. The article highlights Trump's escalating conflict with Republican leadership over procedural rules and his push for voter restrictions.
The New RepublicTrump Pressures Senate Leader to Fire Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
Former President Donald Trump pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a private phone call to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled against allocating $1 billion for Trump's ballroom security in a budget reconciliation bill. MacDonough, a nonpartisan referee serving since 2012, determined the provision could not be justified under reconciliation rules. Thune dismissed the idea, stating the process is standard. Despite Trump's claims the ballroom would be donor-funded, Senate Republicans attempted to include the allocation. The article also notes Republican Senator Bill Cassidy's opposition to a separate $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' created by Trump, calling it an unconstitutional slush fund. Republicans are expected to revise the ballroom security clause rather than remove it, potentially seeking a smaller amount.
The New RepublicTrump Pressures Senate Leader to Fire Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
Former President Donald Trump pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a private phone call to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled against including $1 billion for Trump's ballroom security in a budget reconciliation bill. MacDonough, the first woman to hold the nonpartisan role since 2012, determined the provision could not be justified under reconciliation rules. Thune dismissed the idea, stating the process is standard and both parties often disagree with the parliamentarian's rulings. Republicans are expected to revise the clause's language rather than remove the funding entirely. The article also notes Trump's broader pattern of attempting to influence the legislative branch and includes a separate item about Senator Bill Cassidy opposing Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' slush fund.
The New RepublicTrump Pressures Senate Leader to Fire Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
Former President Donald Trump pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a private phone call to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled against including $1 billion for Trump's ballroom security in a budget reconciliation bill. MacDonough, a nonpartisan referee serving since 2012, determined the provision could not be justified under reconciliation rules. Thune dismissed the idea, stating the process is standard and both parties often disagree with the parliamentarian. Republicans plan to adjust the clause's language and potentially request less funding rather than remove it. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and legislative procedures, as well as attempts to influence the Senate's independent review process.
The New RepublicTrump Pressures Senate Leader to Fire Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding Ruling
Former President Donald Trump pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a private phone call to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled against including $1 billion for security of Trump's proposed ballroom in a budget reconciliation bill. MacDonough, a nonpartisan referee serving since 2012, determined the provision lacked sufficient justification. Thune dismissed the idea, stating the process is standard and both parties often disagree with the parliamentarian. Republicans plan to adjust the clause's language and potentially request less funding rather than remove the allotment. The article also notes Trump's broader pattern of attempting to influence the legislative branch and his creation of a controversial 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' via a settlement with his own IRS.
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