Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is “practically begging” the White House to abandon President Donald Trump’s “fixation on personal projects,” with one in particular “growing more toxic” and potentially jeopardizing a key priority for Republicans as the midterm elections draw near, Punchbowl News reported Tuesday.
Republican lawmakers are hoping to pass a reconciliation bill this week to fully fund federal immigration enforcement agencies, but Trump’s continued support for his $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded “anti-weaponization fund” – established to award payouts to his supporters who claim to have been unfairly targeted by the Biden administration’s Justice Department, including violent Jan. 6 Capitol rioters – risks sinking the legislation entirely.
“Trump and Hill Republicans are trapped in a dangerous paradox,” Punchbowl News’ report reads.
“Trump’s political endorsement is worth more than ever in GOP primaries, yet his legislative agenda and fixation on personal projects are growing more toxic heading into the fall campaign season. As more Republicans move past their primaries, they’re suddenly finding it advantageous to oppose him.”
Thune "acknowledged” that Republicans in the Senate “weren’t satisfied” with the White House’s continued support of the anti-weaponization fund – which a federal judge has temporarily halted from awarding payouts – and on Monday, urged the administration to issue “more public assurances,” Punchbowl News reported.
“The South Dakota Republican is practically begging the administration to act on its own to shut down the fund entirely and make clear it won’t be resurrected,” the outlet’s report reads.
“Thune believes this remains the best way to un-stick the reconciliation bill and prevent a handful of GOP senators from voting for Democratic amendments during an upcoming vote-a-rama. But the White House seems unwilling to make this easy for Republicans.”