Trump Pressures John Thune to Fire Parliamentarian
Trump wants the parliamentarian removed after she blocked $1 billion in ballroom funding under Senate budget rules, according to Semafor and NOTUS.
- On Monday, President Donald Trump called Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pressure him into firing Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she blocked $1 billion in funding for his East Wing renovation and ballroom project.
- MacDonough ruled Saturday that the $1 billion security package violates the "Byrd Rule," preventing Republicans from bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold through budget reconciliation.
- While Trump vowed to use private funds for the $400 million ballroom, Democrats including Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon criticized the $1 billion proposal as a "gold-plated ballroom boondoggle" that taxpayers should not fund.
- Thune declined to discuss private conversations but clearly said no when asked if he was considering ousting MacDonough, while Senate Republicans are revising language to comply with budget rules.
- Trump and Thune previously clashed over MacDonough last year during tax bill negotiations, when Thune similarly refused to fire her; Republicans now aim to unite 50 senators to advance the security package.
11 Articles
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Trump vents at Thune over ballroom funding setback
President Donald Trump used a Monday phone call with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to complain about a ruling from the Senate parliamentarian that has jeopardized millions in security dollars for his East Wing ballroom. The phone call, reported by Semafor and confirmed by a source familiar with the conversation, represents the latest flash of frustration as Democrats attempt to strip the money from an immigration enforcement bill that…
Trump jawboned Thune to fire Senate's top rules referee over ballroom ruling: report
President Donald Trump privately demanded that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough.According to NOTUS, "President Donald Trump pressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire the Senate parliamentarian after she ruled Republicans could not incl...
Trump Is Pressuring John Thune to Fire the Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding
Thune says he would not entertain firing the parliamentarian. J. Scott Applewhite/APPresident Donald Trump pressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire the Senate parliamentarian after she ruled Republicans could not include funding for the president’s ballroom in a budget bill, two sources familiar with the request told NOTUS.The president called the South Dakota Republican on Monday to express his frustrations with the decision, according…
Trump Is Reportedly Trying To Badger Senate Leader Into Firing Official Who Nixed Ballroom Funding
AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib President Donald Trump is so incensed about funding for his ballroom project being dropped from the budget bill that he is trying to badger Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) into firing the Senate Parliamentarian, according to several media reports. The ballroom has been a pet project for the president, who boasted last September that it would be “absolutely magnificent construction” and “one of the best anywhere in…
Exclusive: Trump privately fumes over imperiled ballroom security money
The ScoopPresident Donald Trump aired his displeasure with the Senate rules referee during a Monday call with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, criticizing her decision to block a filibuster-proof vote on security money for his East Wing renovation and ballroom, according to multiple people familiar with the conversation.The president is leaning on the Senate to deliver $1 billion in new Secret Service funding — including $200 million associate…
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