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CNBC has reported a source close to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and former chief of staff Reince Priebus says President Donald Trump is planning to shift his political strategy and could engage in “warfare” against Republican Congress.
According to a post by CNBC’s John Harwood on Twitter, “Ryan-Priebus ally to me: next phase of Trump presidency will be warfare against GOP Congress.”
Ryan-Priebus ally to me: next phase of Trump presidency will be warfare against GOP Congress
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) July 28, 2017
“Ryan-Priebus ally tells me Trump is moving toward ‘an independent WH’ untethered from the Republican Party,” Harwood also posted.
Harwood said he believes this shift, if true, could be a bad sign for Republicans hoping to pass significant tax reform.
Harwood wrote on Twitter, “not an auspicious sign for tax reform.”
not an auspicious sign for tax reform https://t.co/yrhpEANtlJ
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) July 28, 2017
Trump has not hidden his frustration with congressional Republicans in recent weeks. On July 23, he said it was “sad” Republicans “do very little” to protect him.
“It's very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
It's very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2017
On Saturday, Trump said Republicans “look like fools” for not changing Senate rules that would make it easier for them to pass legislation without Democrats’ support.
“Republicans in the Senate will NEVER win if they don't go to a 51 vote majority NOW,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “They look like fools and are just wasting time. … 8 Dems totally control the U.S. Senate. Many great Republican bills will never pass, like Kate's Law and complete Healthcare. Get smart!”
Republicans in the Senate will NEVER win if they don't go to a 51 vote majority NOW. They look like fools and are just wasting time......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
....8 Dems totally control the U.S. Senate. Many great Republican bills will never pass, like Kate's Law and complete Healthcare. Get smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
Trump also criticized Republicans for “talking” about repealing Obamacare but failing to act.
“After seven years of ‘talking’ Repeal & Replace, the people of our great country are still being forced to live with imploding ObamaCare!”
After seven years of "talking" Repeal & Replace, the people of our great country are still being forced to live with imploding ObamaCare!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
Despite these and other notable criticisms, it seems unlikely Trump will engage in “warfare” with Republicans when Democrats have been exceptionally hostile to his presidency. Should Trump choose to turn on congressional Republicans, it could significantly reduce his power in Congress, making it even more difficult to pass key campaign promises.
