At a Glance
- President Trump called all five Republican senators who voted to limit his Venezuela war powers
- He threatened each with primary challenges and declared they “should never be elected to office again”
- Collins faced the harshest tone, with Trump raising his voice during their conversation
- Why it matters: The clash exposes growing GOP resistance to Trump’s foreign-policy authority ahead of a final Senate vote
President Trump unleashed a barrage of angry phone calls against five Republican senators within hours of their vote to curb his military options in Venezuela, vowing to drive them from office and denouncing their move as a threat to national security.
The Senate’s procedural vote on Thursday advanced a War Powers resolution that would force the administration to seek congressional approval before any future military action in Venezuela. The measure drew support from an unusual coalition: Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Todd Young of Indiana.
Trump’s Immediate Backlash
Two people familiar with the calls said the president contacted each defector soon after the roll call, delivering what they described as “direct but cordial” warnings. Yet the tone shifted sharply during his conversation with Collins, a six-term senator facing re-election this year. One source said Trump raised his voice while criticizing her vote, underscoring the personal stakes he attaches to party loyalty.
On Truth Social, Trump escalated the feud:
> “All five Senators should never be elected to office again.”
He argued the resolution “greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” and branded the War Powers Act itself unconstitutional.
Senators’ Mixed Reactions
Despite the pressure campaign, not all targets sounded ready to retreat. Hawley, who praised Trump publicly-“I love the President, I think he’s doing a great job”-hinted he might switch his vote when the Senate takes final passage this week. Paul, long an advocate for limiting executive war powers, gave no indication he would bend.
A person close to Collins told News Of Losangeles that Trump’s rhetoric would not sway her political plans, though she has yet to formally announce whether she will seek another term.
Next Steps
Thursday’s motion was procedural; the resolution now heads to a full Senate vote requiring only a simple majority. The outcome could hinge on whether Hawley follows through on his suggestion to reverse course, potentially narrowing the already slim GOP rebellion.
The White House has not responded to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment and has not confirmed the calls.
Key Takeaways
- Five Republican senators broke ranks to rein in Trump’s Venezuela authority
- Trump responded with primary threats and public condemnation
- Collins received the brunt of his anger, yet allies say she won’t be intimidated
- A final Senate vote looms, with Hawley signaling he may flip back to the president’s side
