In a video message to reporters, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) provided additional information on Wednesday's contentious closed-door meeting at the U.S. Capitol between President Donald Trump and Republican senators.
According to Tuberville, Trump was particularly displeased with attempts to pass a resolution in the Senate calling for an end to combat operations against Iran, rather than allowing the White House to negotiate peace with the Middle Eastern country's government.
"It's amazing what a good halftime speech will do from President Trump. He was very disgruntled about trying to negotiate peace around the world, especially in the Middle East, and at the same time, the Democrats and just a handful of Republicans voted to stop the Iran war through the Senate," explained Tuberville.
The legislator praised the president for "calling out" Republicans who voted in favor of the resolution and argued the measure could have endangered American troops in the region.
"President Trump's trying to get it done through negotiations. It was disappointing that Republicans joined in with the crazy Democrat leftists, but that's their opinion, and that's their right," said Tuberville. "But President Trump has the right also to call people out and ask them, basically, why did you do it? Why did you interfere with our negotiations? They stopped negotiating with us when this was passed, and it put people in harm's way."
"So I was proud of President Trump coming out and making sure that he understood why they voted against it, and there was no good reason, other than pretty much Trump Derangement Syndrome," Tuberville added.
The Senate voted 50-48 to pass a House-approved concurrent War Powers resolution on Tuesday. Ultimately, it failed after two Republican senators, Rand Paul (Ky.) and Bill Cassidy (LA.) changed their votes, effectively blocking the measure with a final vote of 47-50-1.
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted in favor of the resolution.
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