‘Be tough’ on Democrats, Trump says
He touts poll numbers as he talks to senators
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Tuesday for the weekly Senate Republican lunch.
Behind closed doors, Trump was unscripted and freewheeling with the 53 GOP senators. He touted his poll numbers, dismissed rival Joe Biden and implored Republicans to “be tough” against Democrats this fall.
The Democratic-controlled House has passed a $3 trillion pandemic aid package, but Republicans insisted they’ll wait until June to consider whether more help is necessary.
“We had a great meeting — all of the Republican senators were there,” Trump told reporters afterward.
Trump’s visit to the weekly luncheon was billed by the White House as an opportunity for the president to thank senators for their work in fighting the virus outbreak and shoring up the economy, officials said.
But as senators convened behind closed doors, the discussion swiftly turned to politics.
Trump’s “enthusiasm” for the campaign against Biden, the presumed Democratic nominee, was clear, senators said. The president warned them that Democrats are tougher than Republicans and won’t hesitate to go on offense.
“He admonished all of us to be tough, fight back,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-texas, told reporters afterward.
Tuesday brought a full day of administration appearances on Capitol Hill.
Earlier, Vice President Mike Pence and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin huddled with Mcconnell and House GOP leader Kevin Mccarthy for a previously scheduled meeting. They discussed the COVID-19 response and the economy, according to a person familiar with the meeting.