Hours after the Senate voted to advance the war powers resolution rebuking the White House’s current and future actions in Venezuela, President Donald Trump placed “angry” calls to each of the five Republicans who crossed the aisle, according to people with knowledge of the calls.
Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and Todd Young, R-Ind., voted with Democrats to require the administration to get congressional approval for future military action in Venezuela.
Thursday's vote was a procedural motion, and it advances the legislation to a full Senate vote that will require a simple majority.
Soon after the vote, Trump threatened each senator with primary challenges, vowing to unseat them, the people said.
Two people describe the calls as “direct but cordial.” But in at least Collins’ case, Trump sharply criticized her and raised his voice, according to a person familiar with the exchange.
Collins, a six-term senator who is up for re-election this year, hasn’t formally announced her political plans. A person close to her told NBC News that Trump’s rhetoric wouldn’t influence her decision.
“This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” he wrote. “In any event, and despite their ‘stupidity,’ the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me.”
NBC News spoke to some of the senators in the group, including Hawley and Paul, who praised Trump.
“I love the president. I think he’s doing a great job,” Hawley said, who forecast that he could change his vote when the Senate takes up final passage this week.
The White House hasn’t responded to a request for comment and hasn’t confirmed the calls.
