Who is Elizabeth MacDonough? Trump Wants Senate Parliamentarian Fired

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for Senate Republicans to remove Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, accusing her of blocking his legislative agenda in a series of posts.

The remarks on Truth Social underscore growing tensions over Senate rules that can determine whether key policies pass with a simple majority or face a 60-vote filibuster threshold.

The dispute could shape Republican strategy on major legislation, including whether to challenge or override the parliamentarian's rulings in the closely divided Senate.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough: What to Know

Her History

Before becoming parliamentarian, MacDonough spent years inside the Senate, beginning as a legislative staffer and later joining the parliamentarian's office in 1999, where she rose to senior assistant before her appointment by then–Majority Leader Harry Reid. A graduate of George Washington University and Vermont Law School, she also worked as a Justice Department trial attorney, building a background in law and legislative procedure.

What Is a Parliamentarian?

MacDonough, an attorney who has served as the Senate's nonpartisan rules adviser since 2012 and the first woman in the role, interprets chamber procedures and enforces limits on what can pass under budget reconciliation.

Her rulings are especially influential when lawmakers try to advance major legislation by a simple majority, as she determines whether provisions comply with strict budget rules, including the Byrd Rule, which can force measures to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Though the role is technically advisory, the Senate almost always follows the parliamentarian's guidance, making MacDonough one of the chamber's most influential behind-the-scenes figures.

Who Can Remove Her?

Formally, the Senate parliamentarian serves "at the pleasure" of the Senate majority leader, meaning Republican John Thune of South Dakota has the authority to remove and replace her.

In practice, that means it would not require a vote of the full Senate. The majority leader could simply dismiss MacDonough and appoint a new parliamentarian, as has happened in the past, including a 2001 dispute when a parliamentarian was removed.

However, firing the parliamentarian is considered a major escalation because the position is traditionally nonpartisan and central to maintaining Senate rules and precedents. Lawmakers in both parties have historically resisted doing so or overriding rulings, arguing it would undermine institutional norms and open the door to changing rules to suit the majority's agenda on a case-by-case basis.

What Donald Trump Said About Elizabeth MacDonough

The president posted on Truth Social, “Shockingly, Republicans have kept the very important position of ‘Parliamentarian’ in the hands of a woman, Elizabeth MacDonough, who was appointed, long ago, by Barack Hussein Obama and a vicious Lunatic known as Senator Harry Reid, who ran the Senate for the Dumocrats with an ‘iron fist.’

Trump continued, “Over the years, she has been brutal to Republicans, but not so to the Dumocrats - So why has she not been replaced? There are many fair people who would be qualified for that vital job. The Republicans play a very soft game compared to the Dumocrats. It is their single biggest disadvantage in politics. The Dumocrats cheat, lie, and steal, especially when it comes to Votes in Elections, but stick together, whereas the Republicans allow the Elizabeth MacDonoughs of the World to stay in power, and brutalize us. We need THE SAVE AMERICA ACT passed, and NOW - And, likewise, kill the Filibuster, which would give us everything! If we don't pass at least one of these two provisions quickly, you will never see another Republican President again.

“The Dumocrats will end up with 2 additional States, D.C. and Puerto Rico, and all that entails, including 4 Senators, many Congressmen, and many additional Electoral Votes, and they will also get their dream of a packed United States Supreme Court with their most favorite number - 21 Justices. The Dumocrats will eliminate the Filibuster on the First Day that they get an opportunity to do so. The Republicans aren't doing it because they say the Dumocrats will never do it, but the Republicans are WRONG. Get smart and tough Republicans, or you'll all be looking for a job much sooner than you thought possible!”

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 12:25 PM.