GO TO HELL! —Trump Tells Democratic Senate Leader Schumer

The U.S. Senate departed Washington on Saturday night, August 2, for its monthlong August recess without reaching an agreement to advance numerous nominees put forward by President Donald Trump, adjourning after days of heated bipartisan talks and Trump posting on social media that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer can “GO TO HELL!”

According to CNN, Senate Republican leader John Thune, Schumer, and White House officials had been engaged in rigorous negotiations to resolve the impasse before senators left for the August recess.

Schumer had reportedly demanded the release of frozen federal funds and a commitment from Trump to refrain from pursuing another legislative package aimed at reducing federal spending. However, Trump rejected these conditions, describing them as “egregious and unprecedented” online, signaling the collapse of the negotiations.

Trump had initially pressed the Senate to confirm his nominees before the break, even suggesting the cancellation of the recess. However, his post indicated he was no longer willing to negotiate.

“Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party—the Radical Left Lunatics—to GO TO HELL! Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. Have a great RECESS,” Trump wrote.

On the Senate floor, Thune later requested unanimous consent to vote on a select group of nominations before starting the recess. However, Democrats, who had been stalling action on several lower-level nominees, continued to impose procedural obstacles.

To expedite the confirmation process, Schumer had proposed several conditions, including releasing federal funds for programs like the National Institutes of Health and foreign aid. He also sought assurance that Trump would not pursue another round of spending cuts through a “rescissions” package, following a $9 billion cut approved earlier this year.

Speaking at a news conference, Schumer stated that Democrats were dedicated to finding a bipartisan solution but accused Trump of abandoning the negotiations.

“In a fit of rage, Trump threw in the towel, sent Republicans home, and was unable to do the basic work of negotiating. Is this the ‘Art of the Deal’?” Schumer said, holding up a printout of Trump’s post.

He declined to disclose complete details of the discussions but noted that progress had been made on several issues before Trump suddenly halted the talks.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli