Donald Trump has publicly demanded the firing of Elizabeth MacDonough, the nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian, after she blocked Republican efforts to attach funding for his ballroom project to a border security and immigration enforcement bill. The decision, which MacDonough made on procedural grounds under the Byrd Rule, has sparked a fierce backlash from the former president.
Trump's Accusations and Social Media Outburst
On his Truth Social platform, Trump accused MacDonough of being unfairly harsh toward Republicans while lenient with Democrats, despite her past ruling against Democrats' minimum wage increase in 2021. He wrote, 'Elizabeth MacDonough is a disaster for the Republican Party. She always sides with the Democrats and blocks everything we try to do. She must be fired immediately!'
Call to Eliminate the Filibuster
Trump further urged Senate Republicans to pass his 'Save America Act' and eliminate the filibuster, criticizing them for being too soft. 'You’ll all be looking for a job if you don’t get rid of the filibuster and pass my agenda,' he warned. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed concern over Trump's attack on MacDonough, stating it could jeopardize her safety. Thune confirmed that the blocked legislation would be redrafted to comply with the Byrd Rule.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted a parliamentarian. In 2020, he called for the firing of the House parliamentarian over a ruling on proxy voting. The role of the parliamentarian is to provide impartial advice on Senate rules and procedures, and removal would be unprecedented in modern history.
