"It is unbelievable that Republicans still allow the very important position of 'Senate Parliamentarian' to be held by a woman, Elizabeth MacDonough. For many years, she has been tough on Republicans, but not so with Democrats," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 20/5.

"Why hasn't she been replaced?" Trump questioned, adding that MacDonough was appointed "a long time ago by Barack Hussein Obama and the evil lunatic Senator Harry Reid, who once ran the Senate for Democrats with an 'iron fist'."

Trump accused MacDonough of obstructing his agenda, urging Republican senators to be "wiser and tougher." The White House chief reportedly called Senate Republican leader John Thune on 18/5 to press for MacDonough's dismissal.

The post appeared days after MacDonough ruled that a proposal to provide about 1 billion USD in security funding for the White House and Secret Service related to Trump's ballroom project did not meet Senate rules for inclusion in an immigration enforcement bill via the Republicans' budget reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority to pass.

This decision was seen as a major blow to Republicans, who had hoped that combining the security budget for the White House ballroom project with the immigration bill could help it pass with a simple majority vote.

MacDonough determined this provision required a minimum of 60 affirmative votes in the Senate, effectively extinguishing the possibility of the plan's passage, as Republicans currently hold only 53 seats in the chamber.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. Photo: US Senate

MacDonough was appointed Senate Parliamentarian in 2012. She is the first woman to hold this role. In fact, former president Barack Obama had no role in MacDonough's appointment; it was a decision by the Senate Majority Leader.

Despite pressure from Trump, Senate Republican leader Thune rejected the possibility of firing MacDonough, adding that doing so "would create even more voting problems."

"We will ensure everyone here is safe," Thune said, alluding to concerns that MacDonough could become a target for extremists following the President's harsh attacks.

The Senate Parliamentarian is a non-partisan position established in the 1930s, tasked with advising the Senate on how to apply rules, principles, and precedents.

The White House ballroom project is seen as a major hallmark of Trump's tenure, intended to create a large-scale event space in place of temporary outdoor structures. The administration argued the project would modernize infrastructure and enhance White House security.

Excavators demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom in 10/2025. Photo: AP

Trump and his allies asserted the ballroom would be funded by private contributions, while administration officials sought federal funding for related security items, including reinforced infrastructure, drone detection systems, and Secret Service facilities.

While visiting the ballroom construction site on 19/5, President Trump continued to defend the project amid growing criticism from Democrats and skepticism from some Republican lawmakers regarding the use of taxpayer money for a project he initially described as privately funded. Trump asserted it was a "gift" to America and emphasized that donors, not taxpayers, would cover the costs.

By Huyen Le (According to Politico, Semafor)