President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that Senate Republicans fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled against including $1 billion in security funding for his White House ballroom project in a GOP immigration enforcement bill. The parliamentarian determined the provision violated reconciliation rules, as it funded activities outside the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has resisted Trump's calls to remove MacDonough, with senior Republicans defending her nonpartisan role.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough blocked a $1 billion Secret Service funding request tied to President Trump's White House ballroom project, citing reconciliation rules. Trump has since called for her removal, accusing her of bias against Republicans. Senate GOP leaders, including John Thune and Susan Collins, have rejected the demand, emphasizing MacDonough's nonpartisan record.
Deeper Dive & Context
Parliamentarian's Role and Ruling
MacDonough, appointed in 2012 by then-Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, ruled that the ballroom security funding did not comply with reconciliation rules, as it fell outside the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction. The provision was part of a broader $72 billion immigration enforcement bill. Republicans had hoped to bypass the filibuster using reconciliation, but MacDonough's ruling forced its removal.
Republican Responses
Senate Republicans have largely dismissed Trump's calls to fire MacDonough. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) praised her work, while Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) noted MacDonough has also ruled against Democratic priorities under President Biden. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) criticized the filibuster as the real obstacle to GOP legislative success.
Trump's Criticism and Broader Demands
Trump accused MacDonough of favoring Democrats and urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, warning that failure to act would result in long-term Democratic dominance. He also reiterated support for the SAVE America Act, his election integrity bill, and criticized GOP leaders for not being aggressive enough in advancing conservative priorities.
Internal GOP Divisions
The decision to drop the ballroom funding came amid internal GOP opposition and frustration over Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn. Some Republicans privately opposed including the funding in an immigration bill, further complicating the legislative process.