Is Trump Losing His Grip On Senate Republicans?

Topline

President Donald Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to fire the Senate rule-keeper on Monday, the latest sign of tensions between Trump and Thune.

Key Facts

Trump said on Truth Social Thune should “immediately fire the Parliamentarian,” Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who Trump said “treats Republicans, and everything that they stand for, horribly!”

Trump predicted a GOP-backed voter ID bill, the SAVE America Act, won’t pass with MacDonough in place, after she ruled previously that it can’t be passed with a simple majority vote and would instead need 60 votes to clear the filibuster threshold.

MacDonough also ruled the Senate couldn’t approve $1 billion in funding for Trump’s ballroom project as part of an immigration-enforcement funding bill without 60 votes.

Trump has previously questioned why Senate Republicans allowed MacDonough to keep her job, but his post on Monday specifically calls out Thune as the majority leader has repeatedly broken with Trump over several hot-button issues in recent weeks.

Thune called on Trump to shut down his anti-weaponization fund established in Trump’s IRS settlement, he expressed concern over Trump’s appointment to replace Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, and he maintained his endorsement of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, even after Trump endorsed Cornyn’s opponent, Ken Paxton, in the primary.

Democrats have blocked an effort to extend a spying program, known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, in response to Trump tapping Pulte—and Thune expressed some frustration about the “timing” of “the weekly announcements” from the White House.

Tangent

Parliamentarians are hired by the Senate secretary and serve at the pleasure of the majority leader. The Senate secretary is elected by the Senate.

Key Background

Many in Trump’s base were against Thune’s campaign for majority leader and preferred Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who came in third in the contest. Trump stayed neutral. In recent weeks, Thune’s breaks with Trump have prompted fresh criticism from some MAGA loyalists. “Grow a spine, Thune!” right-wing influencer Nick Sortor wrote on X in response to Trump’s Truth Social post on Monday. Trump ally Steve Bannon wrote “Thune IS The Problem,” in a post on X last week after Thune expressed concerns about Pulte. Trump and Thune have clashed before. Thune called Trump’s attempts to contest the 2020 election results “inexcusable,” and Trump predicted he would be primaried in 2022, ending his political career. Thune endorsed Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., for president in the 2024 race.