A closed-door lunch Tuesday with Senate Republicans and administration officials left lawmakers feeling confused and concerned, as President Donald Trump’s people spoke in ambiguities despite the looming tariff decision.
According to a Politico report, Republicans spent the lunch hammering White House deputy counsel Pat Philbin and Assistant Attorney General Steve Engel about their dislike of tariffs, threatening a veto-proof vote to nullify Trump’s national emergency declaration.
Some Republicans, more wary of defying the President, came away frustrated, as the officials could only speak in broad-strokes about alternate plans. Trump and most of his Cabinet are currently in the UK, leaving behind few people with decision-making power to caucus with the Republicans.
Trump has said he’ll decide whether or not to levy tariffs on Mexico in less than a week.
