Trump implores Senate GOP to ‘be tough’ on Democrats
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump implored Senate Republicans to “be tough” on Democrats heading into the fall election, touting his poll numbers against rival Joe Biden during a free-wheeling private lunch on Capitol Hill.
With top White House advisers in tow, Trump attended what was perhaps one of the largest social gatherings still happening in locked-down Washington as officials consider next steps in the coronavirus response.
“We had a great meeting — all of the Republican senators were there,” Trump told reporters.
The private luncheon at the nearly closed U.S. Capitol complex was billed as an opportunity for Trump to thank senators for their work in fighting the virus outbreak and shoring up the economy, officials said.
But as senators from the 53seat GOP majority convened behind closed doors, the discussion swiftly turned to politics and Trump’s “enthusiasm” for the campaign against Biden, the presumed Democratic nominee, senators said.
“He admonished all of us to be tough, fight back,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Democrats are eager to flip control of the Senate from Republicans as voters assess Trump’s handling of the pandemic. Cornyn said the president explained to the senators, “It’s going to be a pitched battle.”
The hourlong session did not change the GOP position to hold off, until June, on a new round of virus aid for states and struggling Americans.
“We need to assess what we’ve already done, take a look at what worked and what didn’t,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., afterward. “We’ll discuss the way forward in the next couple of weeks.”
With new social distancing restrictions, the Senate gathering was held in a bigger room across the street from the Capitol rather than the regular one steps from the Senate chamber. Many senators were masked and seating was limited to three to a table.
It was among the few known gatherings still happening in the nation’s capital, which remains under stay-home orders through June 8.
Trump set off alarms when he disclosed Monday that he is taking a drug, hydroxycholorquine, despite grave warnings from health officials and the U.S. government that the antimalaria drug is unproven against COVID-19, and carries severe health risks, including death.
He did not discuss his decision to take the drug during the lunch, senators said.
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 of California for a previously scheduled meeting.
They discussed the COVID-19 response and the economy, said a person unauthorized to describe the meeting and granted anonymity.
But it did not appear to change Republicans’ outlook that more funds are needed for the pandemic response.
“I don’t see the need right now,“McCarthy told reporters.