Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has rejected President Donald Trump’s call to dismiss Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, saying her rulings affect both political parties and that the position requires a neutral referee.
Trump made the demand in a Truth Social post on June 8, 2026, after MacDonough ruled against the inclusion of several provisions in a Republican reconciliation package.
He described her as a “Radical Left Lunatic” and criticized her continued service after being appointed during the tenure of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2012.
The president accused MacDonough of working against Republican priorities, including provisions tied to the SAVE America Act and $1 billion in Secret Service funding.
Thune’s Defense of the Parliamentarian
Thune pushed back against Trump’s criticism when questioned by reporters.
“Parliamentarian rulings break both ways. You lose a few, you win a few. That’s been true when the Democrats have been in the majority too,” Thune said.
“That’s a hard job. It’s a very specific skill set. And you need somebody that is going to be a fair referee.”
Also Read: Republicans Reject Trump’s Appointment of 38-Year-Old Bill Pulte as Acting DNI
His comments signaled that MacDonough would remain in her position despite pressure from the president and some conservative allies.
The Parliamentarian’s Role
MacDonough has served as Senate parliamentarian since 2012 and is the first woman to hold the position. The role is nonpartisan and focuses on advising the Senate’s presiding officer on parliamentary procedure and chamber rules.
One of the parliamentarian’s most important responsibilities is interpreting the Byrd Rule, which determines what provisions may be included in budget reconciliation bills.
Reconciliation allows certain budget-related legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote, bypassing the chamber’s usual 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.
The Byrd Rule bars provisions considered “extraneous” to the federal budget process. To determine compliance, the parliamentarian’s office conducts reviews commonly known as “Byrd baths.”
Recent Rulings
MacDonough recently ruled that a proposal to provide $1 billion for Secret Service-related White House security upgrades, including projects associated with Trump, did not qualify for inclusion in a reconciliation bill and would therefore require 60 votes for passage.
Also Read: Judge Halts Trump SNAP Restrictions in Victory for Democratic States
She also determined that attaching the SAVE America Act, which includes proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, to a border enforcement package violated the Byrd Rule.
As a result, Republicans were forced to remove the provisions, seek procedural waivers, or pursue them through separate legislation.
An effort to secure a waiver for the voter-registration measure ultimately failed after some Republicans joined Democrats in opposition.
Trump’s Criticism
In his Truth Social post, Trump argued that MacDonough “treats Republicans, and everything that they stand for, horribly.”
He highlighted her appointment under Reid and her continued service through multiple Senate leadership changes, including the tenure of former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump contended that Republicans should replace MacDonough immediately in order to advance the SAVE America Act and other legislative priorities.
The president has criticized the parliamentarian before, making similar complaints in recent months over rulings that affected Republican policy proposals.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
