Trump demands Senate Republicans fire parliamentarian

MacDonough’s 2012 appointment was not influenced by Obama. A broadside arrived days after MacDonough ruled that a provision tied to Trump’s ballroom project could not be included in Republicans’ reconciliation package under Senate rules. The ruling meant the provision would require 60 Senate votes, undermining Republicans’ plan to pass it with a simple majority as part of a broader immigration and border security package. Semafor reported that Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire MacDonough. Trump and allies argued the ballroom would be funded through private donations, while administration officials sought federal funding for security upgrades such as hardened infrastructure, drone detection systems, and Secret Service facilities. Trump defended the project during a construction site tour, calling it a gift and saying donors, not taxpayers, would pay for the ballroom itself.

"MacDonough ruled that a provision allowing roughly $1 billion in White House and Secret Service security funding tied to Trump’s ballroom project could not be included in Republicans' reconciliation package under Senate rules. The decision was a significant setback for Republicans, who had hoped to pass the funding with a simple majority vote as part of a broader immigration and border security package. MacDonough determined that the provision requires 60 votes in the Senate, all but dooming the idea."

"On Monday, Semafor reported that Trump called Senate Majority Leader John Thune, urging him to fire MacDonough. Trump and his allies have argued the ballroom itself would be funded through private donations, while administration officials sought federal funding for related security upgrades, including hardened infrastructure, drone detection systems and Secret Service facilities."

"On Tuesday, Trump defended the project amid mounting criticism from Democrats and skepticism from some Republicans over using taxpayer dollars for a project the president initially framed as privately financed. During a tour of the construction site, Trump insisted the effort was "a gift to the United States of America" and said donors - not taxpayers - were paying for the ballroom itself."

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