President Trump's relationship with key Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), has deteriorated sharply amid a series of strategic clashes that GOP lawmakers say are undermining their chances in the midterm elections. With control of both chambers at risk, senators describe a breakdown of trust after the White House has repeatedly blindsided them on major issues.
Republican senators say the president's erratic moves have left them feeling betrayed. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who lost his primary runoff after Trump called him “very disloyal” despite voting with the president 99.3% of the time, said the incident “destroyed what remained of any kind of trust.” He noted that many colleagues now view their relationship with the White House as purely transactional.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned that Trump's surprise announcements are hurting the party's electoral prospects. “When we’re five months out from a major election, you’ve got to be pitch-perfect,” Tillis said. “We can’t surprise the president and the administration cannot surprise us. Every time we do that, we’re diminishing our chances of holding our majorities.”
FISA and the SAVE Act Standoff
The latest flashpoint came when Trump ordered his nominee for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton, to skip his Senate confirmation hearing, leaving Thune and other leaders dumbfounded. Thune had hoped to quickly confirm Clayton and then move to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities, which have lapsed. Trump then demanded that the SAVE America Act—a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote—be attached to FISA reauthorization, a non-starter for many Republicans.
Cornyn criticized Trump for making unrealistic demands that risk national security. “Here’s where things go off the rails: When the president fails to acknowledge some hills simply can’t be held and charges up anyway,” Cornyn posted on X. He warned that the standoff is “accelerating his lame-duck status.” Democrats have refused to pass FISA reauthorization while Bill Pulte, the acting DNI, remains in charge, accusing him of weaponizing mortgage records.
Iran MOU Leaves GOP in the Dark
Trump further strained relations by ignoring requests for a briefing on the administration’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran. Thune told reporters he expected a briefing but never received one before the White House released the MOU, leaving Senate Republicans scrambling to interpret the deal themselves. The lack of communication has fueled criticism from former Vice President Mike Pence, who blasted the MOU as “appeasement,” and from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who questioned the quality of advice Trump receives.
Republican senators are now struggling to explain why the White House is so out of step with their leadership. When asked why Trump derailed Clayton’s hearing, Thune could only mutter: “Good question.” A senior GOP aide said members are becoming numb to what they view as irrational moves, such as the push for $1 billion in taxpayer money for a new White House ballroom. “This is par for the course,” the aide said. “Before, members might be appalled, now it just becomes normal.”
As the midterms approach, the rift between Trump and Senate Republicans shows no signs of healing, with both sides increasingly at odds over strategy and trust.
