President Donald Trump remained adamant that he has not considered replacing Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) as the pair clash over the president’s demands that the Senate pass the SAVE America Act.
“I haven’t even thought of it,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked if he wants to see Thune replaced.
Earlier Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Thune should not permit the Senate to “leave town” until it passes his voting proposal or, “far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of.”
“The Dumocrats will do it on day one, and can’t believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership. Remember, stupidity always brings LOSING & DEATH!” he wrote.
A handful of Republican senators later posted on social media that they support canceling the August recess until the Senate passes the bill.
But regardless of his rhetoric, Trump reiterated en route to Milford, Michigan, for an appearance at General Motors and to deliver an economic address that he has a “good relationship” with Thune, repeating that “He’s got to get his job done.”
“If you terminate the filibuster, everything happens,” he said. “If you don’t terminate the filibuster, only bad things will happen.”
Trump then became irritated with a reporter who asked why it was not preferable for senators to spend the summer campaigning before November’s midterm elections.
“They shouldn’t leave town,” he said. “I’m not going to stop them from doing it, but they should get the [SAVE America Act] done. If they don’t get it done, it’s going to be a very bad thing for the party.”
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The SAVE America Act would require most prospective voters to provide proof of citizenship and a photo ID in person to register to vote in federal elections, in addition to provisions regarding transgender policy, supplementing a push to purge noncitizens from voter rolls after the pandemic prompted a loosening of election laws.
Repealing the Senate’s filibuster rule would remove the requirement that 60 senators support ending debate on a bill so members of the chamber can vote on it.