Senate Republicans speak out louder against Trump's social media surprises – WCHS
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by RAY LEWIS | The National News Desk
HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senate Republicans, frustrated by President Donald Trump’s social media surprises, are increasingly speaking out about the burden they’re left to bear by the White House.
Trump’s most recent stunner, his Truth Social announcement on his administrative nominees and legislative priorities, is the latest setback for a GOP majority unable to provide many significant wins ahead of the midterm elections.
The president said Wednesday he's withholding his candidate for permanent director of national intelligence—federal prosecutor Jay Clayton—until the Senate confirms his potential replacement. Trump’s also demanding the chamber attach a voter ID bill to the renewal of a foreign surveillance law, which Democrats have blocked in protest of the president’s temporary DNI pick.
Bill Pulte, a housing official without any national security experience, will take over the intelligence community on Friday.
Republicans, though in lockstep with Trump at the start of his term, have recently vocalized their frustrations louder and more often. Majority Leader John Thune, asked Wednesday why he thinks the president is withholding Clayton from the Senate, told reporters, “Good question.”
“We'll just have to take it a day at a time until we get more clarity on what the White House position is on this,” Thune said.
It’s unclear how Clayton’s confirmation will play out. Senate approval of Jamie McDonald, Trump’s pick to lead Manhattan’s federal prosecutors, will likely go through New York’s Democratic senators, one of whom is the minority leader. The chamber has a longstanding tradition requiring the approval of the senators representing the state some potential appointees will serve.
The Senate will also have trouble renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. to seize phone records of people overseas who have spoken with Americans. There aren’t enough votes to pass the SAVE America Act, the voter ID bill now attached to FISA.
Republican Senator John Kennedy, asked Wednesday whether his GOP colleagues are frustrated with Trump’s lack of coordination, replied, “Well, duh.”
“He wants what he wants, and until he gets it, he just keeps pushing,” Kennedy said.
Republicans are at risk of losing their majority in the Senate, and their place in the House is on even shakier ground. The GOP has struggled to produce many legislative victories outside of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year, and its problems with advancing administrative priorities has stressed the voter coalition that helped the party retake control in 2024. Trump’s whiplash isn’t helping.
Do you have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
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