Donald Trump has a thing about the word “nuclear.” He has been baiting North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, for months, threatening that his (nuclear) button is bigger than the smaller nation’s button. Now, the man in the Oval Office has urged the Senate to go “nuclear.” What does that mean and will they go along with him?
Trump has been hiding somewhere within the White House, and the only signs of life are his tweets. That is, unless you count uber-conservative staffer, Stephen Miller. The president sent out this tweet:
‘Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real long term budget, no C.R.’s!’
The president wants Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to “go 51% (nuclear option).” That would fundamentally shift the power of the legislature. Now, it takes 60 senator votes to pass the budget and restart the great machine that is our government. Perhaps, Trump realizes his Republican rule will end at the mid-term elections, and this is his last, best chance to do anything.
Hopefully, Senator McConnell will hold firm in his belief that 60 votes are necessary. Of course, McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, is Trump’s Secretary of Transportation. That may give the president some leverage over the senator.
Ironically, Chao is an immigrant herself. She came to the U.S. with her family from Taiwan when she was just eight years old.
Trump made a deal with Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Senator Schumer told 45 to tell him how much he wanted his wall on the U.S.’s southern border. Trump did, and the deal was set. Hours later, the president cancelled it. As Schumer says, the president can’t agree to a “yes.”
One of the biggest problems for both Democrats and Republicans is that trying to deal with Trump is like trying to “deal with jello.” The president has changed his mind over and over.
Unfortunately, Miller has interfered in the process multiple times. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durban (D-IL) initially went to the White House with a deal already in hand.
By the time they got there, Miller had invited a group of far right Republicans and quashed the deal.
Someone needs to lead – just not Stephen Miller, the little dictator.
Featured Image via Getty Images.
