Trump just escalated his war with Mitch McConnell by urging the Senate to go 'nuclear'
AP
Trump tweeted that Senate Republicans should get rid of the filibuster rule that allows the opposing party to block legislation from moving forward without 60 votes. Republicans currently hold 52 seats in the Senate.
"If Republican Senate doesn't get rid of the Filibuster Rule & go to a simple majority, which the Dems would do, they are just wasting time!" the president tweeted Wednesday.
His tweet followed Trump's comments about the filibuster during a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday night.
"And for our friends in the Senate, oh boy - the Senate, remember this - look, the Senate, we have to get rid of what's called the filibuster rule. We have to," Trump told the assembled crowd. "And if we don't, the Republicans will never get anything passed. You're wasting your time."
The comments will likely add fuel to the growing feud between Trump and McConnell.
McConnell, a stickler for Senate rules, already shoots down Trump's suggestion of eliminating the filibuster every time the president brings it up. But while a legislative change looks unlikely, Trump's comments could mean more trouble for the pair's personal relationship.
One of McConnell's biggest frustrations with Trump has been what McConnell has privately described as a lack of knowledge about the legislative process and disregard for Senate rules, according to the New York Times' Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. McConnell has been steadfast against removing the legislative filibuster, even as he removed the hurdle for Supreme Court nominees earlier this year during the confirmation process of Justice Neil Gorsuch.
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