President Donald Trump sharply criticized Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled several major immigration enforcement provisions ineligible for inclusion in the Republican reconciliation package.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump launched a broadside against Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Tuesday night after she rejected several key immigration and border security provisions included in a Republican reconciliation package backed by the administration.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump accused Senate Republicans of weakness for allowing MacDonough to remain in her role and argued that GOP lawmakers are failing to aggressively use procedural power in the same manner as Democrats.
The criticism came after MacDonough ruled that several provisions tied to border enforcement funding could not remain in the Senate’s reconciliation legislation under Senate procedural rules.
According to the report, the parliamentarian struck portions involving major Border Patrol funding increases, additional Department of Homeland Security appropriations and certain border technology and screening measures.
The reconciliation package had been assembled by Senate Republicans to separately fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations following passage of a broader Department of Homeland Security funding bill.
The House of Representatives approved the Senate-backed DHS funding package by voice vote last month, ending a 75-day government shutdown.
Republicans later advanced a separate $72 billion reconciliation measure aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and border security operations.
Last Thursday, Democratic and Republican Senate staff reportedly met with MacDonough to review the provisions included in the legislation and determine whether they complied with Senate reconciliation rules.
MacDonough’s rulings triggered immediate backlash from Trump and several conservative allies who argued the parliamentarian was obstructing key components of the administration’s immigration agenda.
“Shockingly, Republicans have kept the very important position of ‘Parliamentarian’ in the hands of a woman, Elizabeth MacDonough, who was appointed, long ago, by Barack Hussein Obama and a vicious Lunatic known as Senator Harry Reid,” Trump wrote.
Trump claimed MacDonough had repeatedly ruled against Republican priorities while favoring Democratic initiatives.
“Over the years, she has been brutal to Republicans, but not so to the Dumocrats — So why has she not been replaced?” he said.
The president also renewed his call for Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster and pass election-related legislation he described as critical to the party’s future electoral viability.
“We need THE SAVE AMERICA ACT passed, and NOW — And, likewise, kill the Filibuster, which would give us everything!” Trump wrote.
He warned that failure to act would eventually allow Democrats to admit Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico as states, increasing Democratic representation in Congress and altering the balance of power in federal elections.
“If we don’t pass at least one of these two provisions quickly, you will never see another Republican President again,” Trump said.
The president additionally predicted Democrats would eliminate the filibuster immediately upon regaining sufficient Senate control.
“The Dumocrats will eliminate the Filibuster on the First Day that they get an opportunity to do so,” Trump wrote. “Get smart and tough Republicans, or you’ll all be looking for a job much sooner than you thought possible!”
MacDonough has served as Senate parliamentarian since 2012 after being appointed during the Democratic leadership era of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The parliamentarian serves as the Senate’s chief interpreter of chamber rules and procedures, including determining whether provisions comply with the Byrd Rule governing reconciliation legislation.
Because reconciliation bills can bypass the Senate filibuster and pass with a simple majority, parliamentarian rulings often play a decisive role in shaping what policy measures can remain in major budget packages.
MacDonough has previously blocked or limited provisions advanced by both parties under reconciliation procedures, including efforts involving immigration policy, labor regulations and federal minimum wage proposals.
The dispute adds to broader tensions inside the Republican Party as congressional leaders attempt to advance Trump-backed immigration and border legislation ahead of the 2026 midterm election cycle.
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