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Trump’s push for Russian dirt on Biden is latest GOP headache

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Republicans are finding themselves on defense again after former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump says he’s uninterested in being Speaker if GOP retakes House Perdue says he ‘misunderstood’ Trump supporters’ ‘lock him up’ chants about Kemp Jared Kushner expected to sit for interview with Jan. 6 panel this week: reports MORE urged Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinRussian internet regulator announces fines against Google for ‘dissemination of false content’ Putin’s actions in Ukraine are spilling north Ukraine fighting Russian Goliath: Why dictators are so bad at war MORE to release dirt on the Biden family. 

The remarks are the latest Trump-fueled headache for Republicans this week and the most recent entry in a years-long fissure between Trump and many congressional Republicans over Russia.

Trump’s comments also come at a politically awkward moment for GOP lawmakers trying to push the Biden administration to do more in response to Putin’s weeks-long, bloody invasion of Ukraine.  

“My message to Putin is he needs to go,” said Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSusan Collins to make Supreme Court decision ‘relatively soon’ No. 2 GOP senator to oppose Supreme Court nominee Romney planning ‘a much deeper dive’ on Jackson after opposing her for appeals court MORE (R-S.C.), who has remained close to Trump since he left office last year, when asked about the former president’s comments.  

Asked if he thought making the remark was appropriate, Graham added: “That would not be something that I would do, no.” 

Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneManchin shoots down Biden’s new billionaire tax plan  Schumer says Thomas should recuse himself No. 2 GOP senator to oppose Supreme Court nominee MORE (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, said, “We have very little control over what the former president says, obviously.”

“You know, there are a lot of voices out there right now, and you have to stay focused on the goal and that is to give the Ukrainians whatever they need to succeed and be victorious. And I think that’s actually a possibility,” Thune added, asked if it stepped on Senate Republicans’ message on Russia.

Trump set off alarm bells on Tuesday night when he said in an interview that he thought Putin should release any information he might have on Hunter Biden, President BidenJoe BidenTrump says he’s uninterested in being Speaker if GOP retakes House Biden administration boosts support for antitrust efforts Energy & Environment — Oil companies rebuff House chairman MORE‘s son.

“One thing, while I’m on your show, as long as Putin now is not exactly a fan of our country, let him explain, where did — because Chris WallaceChristopher (Chris) WallaceChris Wallace: Working at Fox had become ‘unsustainable’ WarnerMedia merger approved by Discovery’s shareholders CNN announces streaming service launch date MORE wouldn’t let me ask the question — why did the mayor of Moscow’s wife give the Bidens, both of them, $3.5 million dollars? That’s a lot of money,” Trump told John Solomon and Amanda Head on “Just the News” on the Real America’s Voice network.

Trump added that, “I would think Putin would know the answer to that. I think he should release it.” 

Trump was referencing a controversial 2020 Senate GOP report on President Biden and Hunter Biden that resulted in little proof of wrongdoing. He doubled down on his comments on Wednesday, saying that “Russia may be willing to give that information.”  

Solomon, a former employee of The Hill, faced scrutiny for his opinion columns during Trump’s first impeachment in 2019 relating to Ukraine. The Hill subsequently launched a review of those columns.

Democrats made the case at the time that Trump abused his power by trying to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation into the Bidens, including linking a probe to assistance.

Not all Republicans distanced themselves from Trump’s comments. 

“If he believes Vladimir Putin has information a crime has been committed, you know, sure, why not?” said Sen. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerBipartisan group of senators requests specifics on defense aid provided to Ukraine Energy & Environment — Interior to continue oil leasing plans Republican senators introduce bill to ban Russian uranium imports MORE (R-N.D.), asked if Trump’s comments were appropriate.  

But it’s hardly the first Russia-related headache for the GOP in response to Trump, which has been a running point of contention between the former president, who remains the de facto leader of the party, and congressional Republicans.

The GOP-controlled Congress enacted new sanctions on Russia in 2017 over initial objections from the Trump administration. And more recently, Trump sparked pushback, including from regular Capitol Hill allies, when he called Putin “savvy” and a “genius.”

“I do not think anything savvy or genius about Putin,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthyJD Vance: Greene ‘did nothing wrong’ by attending white nationalist conference Defense & National Security — Officials skeptical Russia reducing military campaign Lawmakers pay tribute to late GOP Rep. Don Young lying in state in Capitol MORE (R-Calif.), in a rare break. 

“I think Putin is evil. I think he’s a dictator. I think he’s murdering people right now,” McCarthy added. 

Trump also appeared to relitigate those comments in his statement on Wednesday, saying that he was calling Putin a “genius” for building up troops along the Russia-Ukraine border before its invasion “because I assumed he would be easily able to negotiate a great deal for Russia.” 

Trump’s latest comments come as Republicans are already facing questions this week over whether they communicated with him on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of the then-president’s supporters breached the Capitol and disrupted the counting of the 2020 Electoral College results for hours. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellJD Vance: Greene ‘did nothing wrong’ by attending white nationalist conference Defense & National Security — Officials skeptical Russia reducing military campaign McConnell sidesteps question on Jan. 6 call from Trump MORE (R-Ky.) got questions at a weekly press conference about a call Trump made to him, and that he declined to answer, on the day of the attack. 

“I’ve said repeatedly the last time I spoke to the president was the day after the Electoral College declared President Biden the winner. I publicly congratulated President Biden on his victory and received a phone call after that from President Trump, and that’s the last time we’ve spoken,” McConnell said when asked why he did not take Trump’s call.

Congressional Republicans also offered a split-screen to Trump on Russia Wednesday, when Sens. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanBennet, Portman introduce bill to use seized Russian assets for Ukrainian relief The Memo: Biden tries to retract his gift to Putin The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: `No’ policy for Russia regime change MORE (R-Ohio) and Dick DurbinDick DurbinSchumer says Thomas should recuse himself Ketanji Brown Jackson and the burden of firstness Manchin: GOP treatment of Jackson ‘disgraceful,’ ’embarrassing’ MORE (D-Ill.), the co-chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, met with members of Ukraine’s parliament.  

“I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Ukraine parliament today. America is inspired by their courage and the bravery of the Ukrainian people to fight back against Russian aggression,” Portman said after the meeting, adding that the administration should do more faster on sanctions and lethal aid.

Republicans also predicted that whatever comes from Trump’s latest comments, like much of what the president says, is largely out of their control. 

“I don’t know how I would answer that. That will be like things involving him, it will unfurl,” Sen. Mike BraunMichael BraunJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson: Without fear or favor Braun walks back remarks criticizing SCOTUS ruling that legalized interracial marriage Senate GOP eyes Hunter Biden, Fauci probes after midterms  MORE (R-Ind.) said about whether Trump’s comments were appropriate, adding that it was “out of my control.”



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Senate GOP shrugs off latest Trump revelation

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The Jan. 6 select committee filing that set off a siren in the political world landed with a thud among Senate Republicans on Thursday. 

The House panel said it had “a good-faith basis for concluding” former President TrumpDonald TrumpJan. 6 panel claims Trump ‘engaged in criminal conspiracy’ Capitol riot defendant pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy, agrees to cooperate The Memo: Boebert’s antics blasted as another twist in politics’ downward spiral   MORE and members of his campaign “engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States,” and that Trump tried to obstruct Congress’s formal counting of the Electoral College vote.  

The filing marked a bombshell moment for the committee, offering a preview into the panel’s thinking about the former president months into its investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, when a mob of his supporters breached the Capitol. 

But Senate Republicans, many of whom have been skeptical of the House panel, shrugged off the revelation —or said they missed it altogether.  

“I’m aware of the reporting on it. I haven’t seen the filing or anything around it, and so I just really don’t have anything for you on that,” said Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneMcConnell, Scott face off over GOP’s agenda GOP senators push back hard on Trump’s praise of Putin GOP senator faces challenge on Trump credentials MORE (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican. 

Asked about the filing, Sen. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerPartisan cracks emerge over how to implement T infrastructure law McConnell, Scott face off over GOP’s agenda The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden announces Supreme Court pick amid unfolding Ukrainian crisis MORE (R-N.D.), who Trump helped recruit for his 2018 Senate bid, said he “didn’t see that” before pivoting to President BidenJoe BidenBiden hails UN vote: ‘Lays bare Putin’s isolation’ Overnight Defense & National Security — US tries to turn down the dial on Russia Johns Hopkins doctor says children need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 MORE. 

“The current president does so many … things every day I can hardly worry about the last one,” he said, as he left the Capitol for the week. 

The filing from the House select committee is tied to the panel’s legal battle to force John Eastman, the lawyer charged with drafting Trump’s strategy for the Jan. 6 certification, to turn over documents. Eastman had filed a lawsuit to try to block the committee’s subpoena, arguing that it was privileged in part because of his legal work for Trump.  

The committee’s filing aren’t formal charges, and no former U.S. president has been charged with a crime. But the House panel does plan to release a report of its findings, which could be formally referred to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.  

It’s hardly the first time Trump-focused drama has ricocheted back around to Senate Republicans, many of whom are eager to keep the focus on Biden, and not the former president, heading into the November election when they are optimistic about their chances of winning back the majority. 

Trump faced pushback from some senators earlier this week over his warm rhetoric toward Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinUS set to sanction more Russian oligarchs: report Biden hails UN vote: ‘Lays bare Putin’s isolation’ Substitute teacher suspended for remarks supporting Putin’s invasion of Ukraine MORE. Senate Republicans broke with the Republican National Committee (RNC) resolution last month censuring GOP Reps. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyThe Memo: Boebert’s antics blasted as another twist in politics’ downward spiral   McCarthy criticizes GOP members who spoke at white nationalist conference Pompeo slams Taylor-Greene for ‘playing footsie’ with ‘anti-Semitic neo-Nazis’ MORE (Wyo.) and Adam KinzingerAdam Daniel KinzingerThe Memo: Boebert’s antics blasted as another twist in politics’ downward spiral   House passes resolution backing Ukraine; Three Republicans vote ‘no’ McCarthy criticizes GOP members who spoke at white nationalist conference MORE (Ill.) and referring to Jan. 6 as “legitimate political discourse.” 

And they’ve seen a steady churn of legal drama that they’ve tried to parse to figure out what it could mean for Trump and their party when he’s still widely considered to be the frontrunner for the 2024 nomination.

But Senate Republicans have been wary for months of the House Jan. 6 committee. Six GOP senators voted last year in support of a failed effort to start an independent commission to probe the Jan. 6 attack. But most Republicans warned that a probe could be used against the party during the 2022 election by keeping Jan. 6, 2021 and Trump in a spotlight.

Sen. Mike BraunMichael BraunOn The Money — Fed puts strict limits on trades by top officials Biden signs bill to extend funding, avoid government shutdown The Hill’s Morning Report – One day, two continents, words of war MORE (R-Ind.) said on Thursday that he had only heard about the court filing from another reporter. 

“I just heard about it now,” Braun said. “I think we’ll have that kind of thing be highlighted here until the time Trump announces whether he’s going to run or not. …To be honest I don’t pay much attention to that.”  

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham offers Senate measure urging Putin to be investigated for war crimes DOJ launches team to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs Overnight Defense & National Security — Russia expected to escalate war with Ukraine MORE (R-S.C.), who has remained close to Trump, also cast doubt on any Justice Department case that could stem from a potential referral from the committee. If the panel makes a referral to the Justice Department, it would then have to determine whether to move forward.  

“I don’t see anything coming out of this committee not tainted by politics,” Graham said. 



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GOP rallies around Manchin, Sinema

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Republicans are rallying around Sens. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSinema fundraising in Europe as reconciliation talks ‘ongoing’: report Warren: Billionaires who ‘have enough money to shoot themselves into space’ will pay for reconciliation bill To Win 2022: Go big on reconciliation and invest in Latinx voters MORE (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaSinema fundraising in Europe as reconciliation talks ‘ongoing’: report Warren: Billionaires who ‘have enough money to shoot themselves into space’ will pay for reconciliation bill To Win 2022: Go big on reconciliation and invest in Latinx voters MORE (D-Ariz.), the centrists who are in a fierce battle with progressives in their party.

Senate Republicans, despite having many policy differences with Manchin and Sinema, are singing their praises, knowing that they will be key to stopping or slowing President BidenJoe BidenSinema fundraising in Europe as reconciliation talks ‘ongoing’: report Mexico urges more US investment in Central America to stem migration flows Trump calls into Take Back Virginia Rally to hype Youngkin MORE’s ambitious agenda.

Both Democrats would be top Republican targets in 2024 if they decide to run for re-election, and GOP leaders are usually loath to offer praise to such lawmakers.

But in a 50-50 Senate, where Manchin and Sinema can make or break Biden’s policy goals, many Republicans hail them as saviors.

“I tell them I think they’re saving the county,” said Senate Minority Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneMcConnell gets GOP wake-up call Democrat on controversial Schumer speech: Timing ‘may not have been the best’ Most Senate Republicans don’t want to see Trump run again MORE (R-S.D.).

“I know they’re getting beat up by their leadership and their base and everything else but I think they’re in a really good place right now because they’re in a position to influence and shape what comes out of this,” he added.

When Manchin told reporters recently that he didn’t want to spend more than $1.5 trillion on Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda because he didn’t want “to change our whole society to an entitlement mentality,” it was music to the ears of GOP colleagues.

Thune said both Manchin and Sinema are “playing an incredibly constructive role in trying to make the country stronger, not weaker.”

Progressives see Manchin’s and Sinema as stubborn opponents, and disloyal to their party and president.

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders blaming spending bill delay on corporate lobbying McConnell-aligned group targeting Kelly, Cortez Masto and Hassan with M ad campaign Democrats struggle to gain steam on Biden spending plan MORE (I-Vt.), who says Democrats need to spend a minimum of $3.5 trillion on expanded Medicare benefits, expanded childcare and fighting climate change, says Manchin is not helping his constituents.

“You should go to West Virginia, ask working families whether they think it’s a good idea that older people — West Virginia’s an older state — have teeth in their mouths, have hearing aids, have eyeglasses,” Sanders said, offering biting criticism of the West Virginia senator.

“Ask working families whether or not he’s a hero when people are paying 20, 25 percent of their income for childcare. Ask people if he’s a hero in terms of not moving aggressively to [address] what the scientists tell us is an existential threat to the planet,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellCapitol Police mandating vaccines for Dignitary Protection Division agents: report The Hill’s 12:30 Report – The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations – 90-year-old ‘Star Trek’ actor describes space visit McConnell-aligned group targeting Kelly, Cortez Masto and Hassan with M ad campaign MORE (R-Ky.) told Republican colleagues at a meeting last week that one reason for why he agreed to a deal with Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerTo Win 2022: Go big on reconciliation and invest in Latinx voters McConnell-aligned group targeting Kelly, Cortez Masto and Hassan with M ad campaign Green group pressures Sinema to spell out climate agenda MORE (D-N.Y.) on a short-term debt-limit increase was because he feared that Manchin and Sinema would be under growing pressure from fellow Democrats to weaken the filibuster to stave off a credit crisis.

McConnell also reached out to share his plan to solve the debt standoff with Manchin and Sinema before unveiling it publicly, according to a Senate GOP aide.

Manchin, asked about that by reporters last week, denied that he knew the details of McConnell’s proposed two-month debt-limit extension ahead of its public release.

Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiMcConnell gets GOP wake-up call Using shared principles to guide our global and national energy policy Alaska man accused of threatening senators to remain detained ahead of trial MORE (R-Alaska), an important GOP swing vote, raised concerns at last week’s Tuesday GOP conference lunch that the debt-limit stalemate was putting pressure on Manchin and Sinema to gut the filibuster, according to two GOP sources familiar with the meeting.

Even sharp-tongued conservatives are offering complimentary words for the two centrists. Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzMcConnell gets GOP wake-up call Equilibrium/Sustainability — Presented by Altria — Michigan leaves majority-Black city with lead-contaminated taps for three years YouTube confirms it picked kids featured in Harris video MORE (R-Texas) even referred to them by their first names.

“I’m glad there are at least a couple of Democrats in the Senate conference who are not willing to blindly sign on to Bernie Sanders’s socialist budget,” he said. “I’m glad to see Joe and Kyrsten standing up to the radical left. They’re demonstrating some real courage because the hard left is pounding them.

“I’m glad to see them demonstrating the strength of character to say, ‘This is not what the people of West Virginia want, this is not what the people of Arizona want,’” he added.

Senate Republicans are framing their messaging strategy around concerns that Manchin has expressed about rising inflation, the global competitiveness of U.S. companies, the future of fossil fuels and the lack of bipartisanship behind the proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation proposal.

Republican have seized on Manchin’s worries about inflation and made it a regular talking point, even though experts such as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell say that higher-than-average inflation is temporary and likely to ease by next year.

Cruz and other Republicans say they agree more with Manchin, who has pointed to rising prices at Dollar General stores in West Virginia as a major problem. Manchin’s comments are also helpful for Republicans who are using rising prices to attack Biden.

“I think he is absolutely right,” Cruz said of Manchin’s inflation fears. “We’re seeing an inflation bomb going off across this country. Hard-working Americans are seeing the cost of just about everything going up. We’re seeing the cost of gasoline go up, the cost of food go up, the cost of rent go up, the cost of lumber go up, the cost of homes go up.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) joked that he’s accused Manchin of stealing his message.

“I’ve accused him of plagiarism,” he quipped. “I’m glad that Sen. Manchin is talking about that, I hope he keeps talking about it.”

Sen. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisAdvocates frustrated by shrinking legal migration under Biden Key debt-limit vote sparks major fight among Senate Republicans Defense & National Security — Troops secretly train with Taiwan as tensions with China continue MORE (R-N.C.) said he agrees with Manchin that the country is at a “fiscal tipping point” because “we’ve just got so much money flooding the system.”

“I know it’s tough but I think he’s standing on principle. I think the same of Sen. Sinema,” he said.

Republicans leapt to Sinema’s defense earlier this month when activists followed her into a bathroom at Arizona State University, where she lectures, to pressure her to support Biden’s full agenda.

Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyMcConnell gets GOP wake-up call Democrat on controversial Schumer speech: Timing ‘may not have been the best’ The Biden-Harris train wreck may have its savior: 2024 GOP nominee Donald Trump MORE (R-Utah), who worked closely with Sinema on the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package passed by the Senate in August, called the tactics “inexcusable.”

Democrats also defended Sinema, but some of them also defended the activists filming here. Biden said he disagreed with such tactics but also said they came with being in the arena of politics, a notably less tough tone than Romney’s.

“We don’t always see eye to eye, but I respect her,” the Utah senator tweeted. “The harassment she has endured is inexcusable and disheartening. It reflects so poorly on the bullies and abusers.”

 



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Most Senate Republicans don’t want to see Trump run again

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Senate Republicans, with a few exceptions, are hoping that former President TrumpDonald TrumpNIH director pleads with evangelicals to ‘look at the evidence’ on vaccines Trump says Grassley has his ‘complete and total endorsement’ Blinken to hold meetings next week with UAE, Israeli foreign ministers MORE does not announce his intention to run again for president.

These GOP senators definitely don’t want to see Trump announce a bid before the 2022 midterm elections, fearing that could sink their hopes of winning back the Senate.

More broadly, they’re generally reluctant to see him on the ballot in 2024 at all because of his track record with independent and swing voters.

Several Republican senators, who requested anonymity to discuss Trump frankly, said they don’t want to see Trump return as the party’s standard bearer.

“I think we’re better off when he’s not part of any story,” said a Republican senator, who said his view is widely shared in the GOP conference.

“He’s a clinical narcissist. He threw away the election in the debate with Biden and he threw away the Senate out of spite,” the lawmaker added, referring to Trump’s first against Biden, which many Republican senators viewed as a disaster, and his influence on Republican voter turnout in the Georgia special election.

One thing is crystal clear: Most GOP senators think Trump announcing a bid before the midterms would hurt them.

“The 2022 election ought to be about the Biden administration and its rolling disasters so anything that would detract from the public being focused on what Democratic governance is doing to this country would be ill-advised,” said Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonHillicon Valley — Presented by American Edge Project — TSA to issue cybersecurity directives to secure rail, aviation sectors Bill requiring companies report cyber incidents moves forward in the Senate End Citizens United, Let America Vote endorse Mandela Barnes, Cheri Beasley ahead of 2022 MORE (R-Wis.), a Trump ally, when asked about the possibility Trump could announce his campaign in the next year.

Johnson, a top Democratic target next year, hasn’t decided whether to run for reelection, but expects Democrats to make the Wisconsin Senate race all about Trump.

“That’s what they always want to do. They want to distract and most of the mainstream media will be trying to do that as well. We need to focus — not only Republicans but the country needs to focus on what a disaster the Biden administration has been,” he said.

Republicans feel good about their midterm chances if the race is focused on President BidenJoe BidenBiden remembers Gen. Odierno: ‘Part of some of our most poignant memories’ Building back better by investing in workers and communities Internal battles heat up over Biden agenda MORE’s agenda and record, given his softening job approval ratings.

Another Republican senator whose seat is up for reelection in 2022 said Trump’s reemergence as a candidate would be a gift to Democrats who want to make next year’s midterms about Trump, regardless of whether he announces a 2024 presidential campaign.

“The way my colleagues see it, he’s an asset in the primaries if he’s with you and then it creates challenges in the general election,” said the lawmaker. “He’s different than any political person that I’ve ever known.”

Trump remains a big topic within the Senate GOP conference — and a bit of a mystery. The senator said Senate Republicans discuss Trump from time to time among themselves and none of them have any idea of whether he’ll really run or not. 

Some GOP senators predict Trump will run because he craves attention and has a good chance of winning the party nomination in 2024. Others think he doesn’t want to risk losing again to Biden or may not be healthy enough to wage another grueling campaign.

Former Speaker Newt GingrichNewton (Newt) Leroy GingrichMORE (R-Ga.) recently met with a group of senior Senate Republican staff and suggested that Trump would like to run but would only do so if he felt healthy enough for the rigors of the campaign trail and office. 

One Republican senator who certainly doesn’t want to see Trump win the nomination in 2024, say GOP colleagues and aides, is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSunday shows preview: Senate votes to raise debt ceiling; Facebook whistleblower blasts company during testimony Growing number of Democrats endorse abolishing debt limit altogether McConnell vows GOP won’t help raise debt ceiling in December after Schumer ‘tantrum’ MORE (R-Ky.), who this week was attacked again by the former president over his debt-ceiling strategy.

McConnell has steadfastly refused to acknowledge Trump’s attacks or mention him by name.

Many Senate Republicans blame Trump for the loss of their majority.

Democrats won upset victories in both of Georgia’s Senate races in January after Trump publicly questioned whether the state’s voting practices were rigged, which damped GOP voter enthusiasm ahead of the run-off election.

As a result, Senate Republicans weren’t thrilled to read last week’s story in The Washington Post that Trump wanted to announce his 2024 campaign and had to be talked out of it by his political advisers.

Senate Minority Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneMcConnell vows GOP won’t help raise debt ceiling in December after Schumer ‘tantrum’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – After high drama, Senate lifts debt limit GOP tries to take filibuster pressure off Manchin, Sinema MORE (R-S.D.) laughed uncomfortably when asked about Trump raring to return to the political arena, more than three years before Election Day 2024.

“I’m shocked, aren’t you?” he quipped.

Thune is up for reelection in 2022 and Trump has called for South Dakota Gov. Kristie Noem to challenge him in a primary.

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamTrump heads to Iowa as 2024 chatter grows GOP tries to take filibuster pressure off Manchin, Sinema Senate approves short-term debt ceiling increase MORE (R-S.C.), Trump’s closest ally in the Senate who golfed with the former president a few weeks ago, told The Hill he’s “champing at the bit to get in the race.”

But Graham acknowledged there could be a downside to announcing his presidential bid early.

“The sooner he gets in, the more they can attack him but also the more money he can raise,” he said.

“I’ve been pushing the idea that a Draft Trump movement would be well received,” added Graham, one of the few Republican senators publicly endorsing another Trump White House bid.

“I think he was a good president on the things I care about,” he said. “He’s going to have to deal with the problems in 2020 but, yeah, I think he’d be the most viable candidate right now.”

Trump has other fans in the Senate GOP conference such as first-term Sens. Bill Haggerty (R-Tenn.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), but they appear to be in the minority among Republican senators.

A senior Senate GOP said many Republican senators view Trump as a potential liability in 2022 and 2024.

“Everybody would prefer he wait until after the midterms. We lost Georgia because of him,” the aide said. “Once we got into a run-off, Trump said your vote isn’t trusted and don’t vote so it’s no surprise that we lost.”

“If Trump decides that he needs to get back in now, then it’s all about Trump all the time,” the aide warned.

 

 



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McConnell vows GOP won’t help raise debt ceiling in December after Schumer ‘tantrum’

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Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Trump urges GOP senators to vote against McConnell debt deal Senate approves short-term debt ceiling increase On The Money — Presented by NRHC — Senate slowly walks back from debt disaster MORE (R-Ky.) warned President BidenJoe BidenArkansas lawmakers advance bill prohibiting businesses from demanding workers’ vaccine status Senate approves short-term debt ceiling increase On The Money — Presented by NRHC — Senate slowly walks back from debt disaster MORE Friday that Republicans won’t help raise the debt ceiling later this year, and stated that a recent speech by Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck Schumer Trump urges GOP senators to vote against McConnell debt deal Senate approves short-term debt ceiling increase The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Senate nears surprise deal on short-term debt ceiling hike MORE (D-N.Y) had “poisoned the well.”

“Last night, Republicans filled the leadership vacuum that has troubled the Senate since January. I write to inform you that I will not provide such assistance again if your all-Democrat government drifts into another avoidable crisis,” McConnell wrote in the letter to Biden. 

 

The letter comes after 11 Republicans helped advance a short-term debt ceiling extension on Thursday night, after a weeks-long standoff where McConnell and his conference said that Democrats would have to raise the debt ceiling on their own through a budget process known as reconciliation.

 

But on Wednesday McConnell backtracked, offering to let Democrats pass a short-term extension that is expected to last into early December.

 

 

McConnell’s letter is a warning to Democrats, but also gives an early signal to his own members that he won’t give Democrats the same offramp in December. The decision by McConnell this week to open the door to a short-term debt extension earned him an unusually intense level of criticism from the Senate GOP caucus, including behind-the-scenes breaks with members of his own leadership team.

 

 

Republicans were further frustrated on Thursday night by Schumer, who railed against them right after 11 of them voted to advance the debt ceiling bill. 

 

Schumer blasted the GOP debt ceiling strategy, accusing them of playing a “dangerous and risky partisan game” and saying Democrats were able to “pull our country back from the cliff’s edge that Republicans tried to push us over.”

 

 

McConnell appeared to reference Manchin, who could be seen briefly with his hands over his face during Schumer’s speech. 

 

“Last night, in a bizarre spectacle, Senator Schumer exploded in a rant that was so partisan, angry, and corrosive that even Democratic Senators were visibly embarrassed by him and for him. This tantrum encapsulated and escalated a pattern of angry incompetence from Senator Schumer,” McConnell wrote. 

 

McConnell warned that Schumer’s “childish behavior” had “alienated” GOP senators who helped advance the short-term debt increase and “poisoned the well even further.” They are likely the same GOP senators Schumer would need to lean on to raise the debt ceiling outside of reconciliation later this year. 

“I am writing to make it clear that in light of Senator Schumer’s hysterics and my grave concerns about the ways that another vast, reckless, partisan spending bill would hurt Americans and help China, I will not be a party to any future effort to mitigate the consequences of Democratic mismanagement,” he added. 



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Thune: Trump allies partaking in ‘cancel culture’ by punishing senators who voted to convict

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GOP Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneHillicon Valley: Biden to take ‘executive action’ to address SolarWinds breach | Facebook and Google respond to Australian proposed law | DOJ charges North Korean hackers with stealing .3 billion in cryptocurrency Congress makes renewed push on self-driving cars bill Juan Williams: Bring sanity back to the GOP MORE (S.D.) on Thursday blasted members of his party for rushing to censure the Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of convicting former President TrumpDonald TrumpFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN Overnight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement Trump ‘won’t say yet’ if he’s running in 2024 MORE, accusing them of engaging in “cancel culture.”

The Associated Press reported that Thune, the No. 2 Republican senator, defended his GOP colleagues who voted to convict Trump in the first interview he has had since he voted to acquit the former president.

“There was a strong case made,” Thune said. “People could come to different conclusions. If we’re going to criticize the media and the left for cancel culture, we can’t be doing that ourselves.”

As the AP notes, Thune has stood by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Rep. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyMore people say Greene representative of Republican Party than Cheney: poll Republican Party going off the rails? Trump unloads on McConnell, promises MAGA primary challengers MORE (R-Wyo.) after she voted to impeach Trump. The Wyoming GOP voted to censure Cheney, and Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzHogan praises Kinzinger in Time profile: ‘Adam proved the measure of his courage’ Gaetz suggests DeSantis could run for president in 2024 if Trump is out of the picture Scarborough says comparisons of Capitol riot to summer protests irrelevant MORE (Fla.) have led calls for Cheney to be removed from power.

According to the AP, Thune also indicated that he would assist candidates who “don’t go off and talk about conspiracies and that sort of thing.”

“At the grassroots level, there’s a lot of people who want to see Trump-like candidates,” Thune said. “But I think we’re going to be looking for candidates that are electable.”

Trump was acquitted last week for the second time after the Senate failed to secure the 67 votes needed to convict him. Seven Republican senators voted to convict, making it the most bipartisan impeachment vote in history.

Thune indicated last week that he was open to censuring Trump before the final impeachment vote was held.

“I know there are a couple of resolutions out there … I’ve seen a couple of resolutions at least that I think could attract some support,” Thune said to reporters at the time. 

The vote to censure Trump would require 60 Senate votes, meaning Democrats would need 10 Republicans to vote in favor of censure.

Democratic lawmakers have also discussed using the 14th Amendment to prevent Trump from running for federal office again in the future. However, Thune was less supportive of this strategy than he was of censure.

“I don’t think … those will go anywhere,” he said last week.



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