Allies of former President Donald Trump are calling for the removal of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. This unexpected demand has placed a relatively obscure Senate official in the national spotlight, raising questions about her role, authority, and influence in shaping major legislative decisions.
So, who exactly is Elizabeth MacDonough? Why is her role suddenly so controversial? And what does this say about the growing conflict over rules and power in the U.S. Senate?
Let’s explore the full story behind this heated debate.
Elizabeth MacDonough is the Senate parliamentarian — a nonpartisan referee who helps the U.S. Senate interpret and apply its complex procedural rules. She’s not a senator or a lawmaker. In fact, she doesn’t vote on laws or take part in debates.
Her job is more like a judge behind the scenes. When senators are unsure about how certain rules apply to bills or debates, they turn to the parliamentarian for advice. Her decisions can make or break key pieces of legislation, especially in situations where every vote counts.
MacDonough became the first woman to hold this powerful position in 2012 and has served under both Democratic and Republican-led Senates. She is known for her quiet, rule-focused approach and her deep knowledge of Senate procedure.
But now, some Republican figures — especially those aligned with Donald Trump — want her gone.
The outrage from Trump allies stems from a decision MacDonough made that affected their legislative goals. Recently, she ruled against a proposal they supported, saying it could not be passed through the special budget process known as reconciliation.
Reconciliation is a special Senate process that allows certain budget-related bills to pass with just a simple majority (51 votes), instead of the usual 60-vote threshold required to avoid a filibuster. This process is important when one party controls the Senate but doesn’t have a supermajority.
For years, both parties have used reconciliation to pass major bills — like the 2017 Trump tax cuts or parts of President Biden’s COVID relief packages.
But the process has strict rules. The parliamentarian decides if certain parts of a bill qualify. If she rules against a provision, it can’t stay in the bill under reconciliation.
And that’s exactly what happened recently — much to the frustration of Trump allies.
MacDonough recently ruled that a Republican-supported policy could not be included in a reconciliation bill. This policy dealt with immigration enforcement and border security — two issues that Trump and his supporters have made central to their political agenda.
Her ruling meant Republicans couldn’t fast-track the proposal without Democratic support — which they were unlikely to get. This sparked anger among conservative lawmakers and commentators, who accused MacDonough of acting as a political gatekeeper rather than a neutral advisor.
Some Trump-aligned lawmakers and media voices have gone as far as suggesting that she should be removed from her position entirely.
These comments show a growing frustration among Trump supporters with how Senate rules are being interpreted — and who gets to interpret them.
Technically, yes. The Senate parliamentarian serves at the pleasure of the Senate majority leader. That means if the leader of the majority party wants to replace her, they can.
But doing so is rare and politically risky.
The last time it happened was in 2001, when Republicans removed parliamentarian Robert Dove for rulings that blocked parts of President George W. Bush’s tax plan.
Still, removing a parliamentarian is seen as an extreme move — like firing a judge because you didn’t like their ruling. It can set a dangerous precedent and weaken the credibility of Senate rules.
To the average American, the name Elizabeth MacDonough might not ring any bells. But in Washington, she holds one of the most powerful unelected roles.
Here’s why her position is so critical:
Her job is to apply the rules fairly, regardless of who’s in power. She helps ensure that laws are passed through the proper process — not just pushed through for political gain.
The Senate is built on complex traditions and procedures. The parliamentarian helps preserve those traditions, keeping the legislative process from turning into chaos.
While she doesn’t vote or sponsor bills, her rulings directly influence which parts of a bill survive — and which get cut. In today’s closely divided Senate, that power is huge.
While Trump allies criticize MacDonough, many others — including some Republicans — say she’s simply following the rules.
“She’s a professional,” said one Senate Democrat. “She doesn’t play politics. She interprets the law.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has defended her rulings in the past, even when they went against Democratic priorities. This shows her reputation for fairness isn’t new.
It’s unclear whether the push to remove MacDonough will go anywhere. So far, no formal move has been made to fire her.
However, this situation reveals deeper tensions in American politics:
In a time when public trust in government is already low, targeting nonpartisan officials like the parliamentarian could further erode confidence in democratic processes.
This controversy is about more than just one person. It’s a reflection of a larger trend: growing frustration with the limits of power — and an increasing willingness to challenge institutions that don’t deliver immediate results.
In recent years, we’ve seen:
Now, we’re seeing criticism of the Senate parliamentarian — an office that used to operate quietly behind the scenes.
As political battles become more aggressive, even the referees are becoming targets.
For now, Elizabeth MacDonough remains in her role as Senate parliamentarian. She continues to interpret the rules of one of the world’s most powerful legislative bodies — despite growing political pressure.
Whether she stays or is replaced may depend on how far Trump allies are willing to go — and whether Republican leaders believe it’s worth challenging a Senate tradition just to win a procedural battle.
But one thing is clear: Elizabeth MacDonough is no longer just a behind-the-scenes official. She’s now a key player in a much larger fight over the future of American politics.
Read Next – White House: US-Iran Peace Talks Aim for Long-Term Stability
Health and safety tech in sports is evolving quickly and changing how athletes train, recover,…
Sports and Entertainment Integration is rapidly transforming the way fans experience their favorite teams and…
Moon-based data centres and spaceports are no longer just science fiction. As technology improves and…
Age-estimation AI tools are quickly becoming a vital part of app ecosystems. As the demand…
In a groundbreaking move, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled a new suite of agentic…
In a groundbreaking move that could reshape the way individuals and businesses handle everyday operations,…