President Donald Trump reportedly called Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine after she voted to curb the president’s war powers this week and expressed his frustrations in a “profanity-laced rant,” The Hill reports.
When reached for comment on Friday, Collins’ office told Newsweek via email that the call did occur but offered no details.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Senate’s decision to advance a resolution limiting Trump’s ability to use military force against Venezuela has revealed potential divisions within the Republican Party. The vote, which saw five Republican senators side with Democrats, comes in the wake of U.S. forces capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an operation that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.
The move has prompted immediate questions on the limits of executive power and the future of U.S. foreign interventions.
How Congress exercises oversight of Trump’s military decisions is especially consequential as election dynamics sharpen focus on issues of war, separation of powers and party unity, particularly with Collins up for reelection in a highly contested seat.
What To Know
On Thursday, the Senate approved a motion to advance a War Powers Resolution aimed at restricting Trump’s authority to direct further U.S. military action against Venezuela without congressional approval.
The measure, brought by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, passed 52-47, with Republican Senators Collins, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Todd Young of Indiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky joining Democrats in support.
The move came days after U.S. forces carried out a surprise raid that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, who had been indicted on multiple charges in the United States. The measure still requires approval in the House and the president’s signature.
According to The Hill, citing sources familiar with the call, Trump spoke with Collins during the vote and was fuming. “He called her and then basically read her the riot act,” one Republican Senate member told The Hill. It was described as a “profanity-laced rant.”
Another source with knowledge of the call said, “He [Trump] was very mad about the vote,” the source said. “Very mad. Very hot.”
What People Are Saying
Trump, on Truth Social Thursday: “Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again.
“This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief. In any event, and despite their ‘stupidity,’ the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject.”
Collins, to reporters on Thursday, per The Hill: “The president obviously is unhappy with the vote. I guess this means that he would prefer to have Gov. Mills or somebody else with whom he’s not had a great relationship. I don’t know, I’m just not going to comment.”
What Happens Next
The Senate’s initial vote sets up a later one on final passage of the resolution. The measure would likely face significant barriers in the House of Representatives.
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