Republican Senators Pledge to Block Democrat Agenda Following Trump Verdict

5 months ago 11

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Democrats might control the Senate, but they’ll have a hard time getting things done if 10 of their Republican counterparts have anything to say about it.

Following a New York jury’s guilty verdict against former President Donald Trump—and President Joe Biden’s subsequent cheerleading of the decision—10 Republican senators vowed to oppose Democrats’ legislative priorities and nominations.

“The White House has made a mockery of the rule of law and fundamentally altered our politics in un-American ways. As a Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart,” the Republican senators said in a statement released Friday.

It currently has 10 signatories:

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.

Notably missing from the list is Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., whose milquetoast response Thursday—about four hours after the jury’s decision—drew scorn from conservatives.

These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.

— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 31, 2024

The statement signed by the 10 Republicans outlines three areas where they plan to stymie Democrats:

Opposition to any non-security spending bill or legislation that funds “partisan lawfare.”
Confirmation of the Biden administration’s political and judicial appointees.
Expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation that isn’t related to Americans’ safety.

Democrats currently control 48 seats with three independent senators who caucus with them. Their narrow majority gives Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., little room to navigate, particularly on matters requiring a 60-vote threshold.

Now, with 10 Republican senators promising to make things even more difficult for Schumer, Democrats face the prospect of a Senate stuck in a stalemate.

Lee spearheaded the effort and wants to recruit more senators to the cause.

I hope to have every Republican senator sign this.

This is a call for Senate Republican Conference unity.

Now is a time for choosing.

Will we let the Republic fall or are we going to do something about it? https://t.co/QcYQwsYv4E

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 31, 2024

“We are no longer cooperating with any Democrat legislative priorities or nominations, and we invite all concerned Senators to join our stand,” Lee wrote on X.

Scott, who is running to for GOP leader in the next Congress, endorsed the effort Friday.

“Our country is in real trouble,” Scott said. “Republicans must stand together and end this madness.”

PRIMETIME EXCLUSIVE: @SenRickScott is vowing legislative retaliation against the Democrats who supported Trump’s prosecution. pic.twitter.com/s95CJXmE8u

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) June 1, 2024

Marshall put the blame on Biden’s “partisan hack judges,” accusing them of weaponizing the judicial system against the president’s political opponent.

The jury found Trump guilty Thursday on all 34 charges of falsifying business records to hide “hush money” payments in 2016 to former pornographic movie actress Stormy Daniels.

Upon leaving the courthouse, Trump called the trial a disgrace and said, “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt.” He continued: “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people.”

His sentencing hearing will take place July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention convenes in Milwaukee.

“The White House’s weaponization of our government to target President Trump for political gain represents the pinnacle of two tiers of justice,” Blackburn wrote on X. “We cannot allow this grave injustice to prevail in the United States of America.

Tuberville, who last year delayed the promotions of military officers over a dispute with the Biden administration, signaled he was once again willing to engage in a similar tactic.

Just one of those military officers remains in limbo today: Air Force Col. Ben Jonsson, whose controversial statements endorsing critical race theory in 2020 prompted an outcry. Schmitt is blocking his promotion to brigadier general.

“Democrats have destroyed the integrity of our justice system, and made a mockery of the Constitution—all in the name of maintaining political power,” Schmitt wrote on X. “My colleagues and I aren’t going to go along with the status quo. Enough is enough.”