President Donald Trump defended Senate Majority Leader John Thune after the Republican senator was booed by attendees at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday.
During Trump’s speech, he mentioned Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who he said “will go down as the greatest Speaker of the House in the history of our country.”
Trump then looked for Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, who he said was supposed to be attending, and said, “John is working hard.”
However, the crowd responded by booing when Trump mentioned Thune.
Trump pushed back on the reaction telling attendees that Thune “has got great opposition.”
“No, no. John is working hard,” said Trump. “He’s got great opposition from the Democrat [Chuck] Schumer and these guys, they’re terrible,” Trump said. “He’s working very hard. He’s going to have great success. You watch.”
Thune has faced criticism from some Republicans over the Senate’s handling of the Save America Act, legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo identification to cast a ballot, and other election reforms aimed at reducing fraud.
Trump has also urged Thune to keep senators in session until Republicans can pass the act, but Thune has repeatedly said Republicans do not have the votes to overcome the Senate’s filibuster rules.
In a March interview with reporters, Thune said that “the votes aren’t there” to change the Senate rules surrounding the filibuster.
“It’s just a reality,” Thune said to reporters. “I’m the person who has to deliver, sometimes, the not-so-good news that the math doesn’t add up, but those are the facts, and there’s no getting around it.”
Despite the disagreement, Trump has continued to defend his relationship with Thune.
In August, Trump said that the two had no disconnect and that they “have a good relationship” during an interview with Punchbowl News.
“John is trying; he’s trying hard, I really believe that, but if he doesn’t get there, it will be unfortunate,” Trump said.
A month later, Trump again defended Thune, telling the convention attendees that the Senate majority leader is working hard despite the criticism he has received.
The Republican National Midterm Convention concludes on September 10.
