In a fervent early morning post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump expressed his frustration towards four Republican senators who he fears may collaborate with Democrats to impede his proposed tariffs on Canadian goods. The senators in question are Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul, also from Kentucky. Trump’s comments reflect his anxiety about their potential defection from the Republican agenda.
“Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul will hopefully get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change,” Trump stated in his post. He urged the senators to "fight the Democrats' wild and flagrant push to not penalize Canada for the sale of large amounts of fentanyl into our Country." Trump emphasized the importance of imposing a tariff on fentanyl, labeling it a "horrible and deadly drug," in order to increase its distribution costs.
While not all targeted senators have publicly expressed their support for the joint resolution aimed at countering Trump's tariffs, the president's post indicates his concern. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is spearheading efforts to prompt a vote on the resolution to terminate the national emergency that Trump invoked to implement extensive tariffs on Canada earlier this year. This declaration cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and raised alarms about the "extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl." However, Kaine also warned that these tariffs would likely escalate prices for American consumers.
On Monday, Senator Collins confirmed her intention to support the resolution against the broad tariffs directed at Canada. “Imposing tariffs on Canada, which is our closest neighbor and a friendly ally, is a huge mistake and will cause disruption in the economies of both countries,” she remarked to reporters, highlighting the economic ramifications of such tariffs.
If all four GOP senators align against Trump, the resolution could secure Senate approval, though it might confront challenges from House Republicans. Trump criticized this potential alignment, stating, “They are playing with the lives of the American people and right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats and Drug Cartels.” He dismissed the resolution as a ploy by the Democrats to highlight the perceived weaknesses of certain Republicans, claiming it would go nowhere as the House would likely reject it, regardless of his own stance as president.
Trump’s rhetoric also included a critique of the senators, suggesting they are afflicted by what he termed Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). “They have been extremely difficult to deal with and, unbelievably disloyal to hardworking Majority Leader John Thune and the Republican Party,” he lamented. This outburst occurred just hours before Trump was set to announce “reciprocal tariffs,” targeting foreign car imports, and potentially imposing additional levies on Mexico and China during a “Liberation Day” event in the White House Rose Garden.
