Senator Josh Hawley recently revealed that he had a conversation with President-elect Donald Trump regarding the government spending deal orchestrated by House Speaker Mike Johnson in collaboration with Democrats. According to Hawley, Trump expressed feeling blindsided by the deal and mentioned that he had not been fully informed about its contents.
Hawley stated that Trump informed him that he had not been consulted by Johnson about the details of the continuing resolution, which led to Trump feeling caught off guard. Despite claims from the speaker's allies that there had been communication with the Trump team throughout the process, Hawley asserted that Trump was only just becoming aware of the situation and had described the deal as 'horrible.'
In a critical tone, Hawley questioned Johnson's ability to handle the reconciliation process, pointing out that if Johnson struggled with managing the continuing resolution, a relatively straightforward matter, it raised concerns about his capacity to navigate the more complex fast-track budget process.
The revelation of Trump's apparent lack of prior knowledge about the spending deal highlights potential communication gaps within the Republican leadership. As the transition of power continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to ensure transparent and effective communication to avoid misunderstandings and ensure smooth governance.