Trump hits back at Republican Senate majority leader over Save America act

The Guardian US News
by Rachel Leingang and Shrai Popat
March 11, 2026
10 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

President Trump criticized the Republican Senate majority leader for not forcing a vote on the "Save America" act.

How This Affects You

If passed, the "Save America" act could alter election processes, potentially changing how your vote is cast or counted in future elections.

AI Summary

Donald Trump criticized Republican Senate majority leader John Thune for refusing to alter rules to force a vote on the Save America act. Trump stated he would not sign any legislation until the Save America act, a bill that would "upend elections for American voters amid the midterms," is passed. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump told Thune, "He's got to be a leader."

What's Being Done

Still monitoring this story for developments.

Source Coverage Map

8 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

19% coverage
Did Not Cover (35)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+30 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Story Tracker

This article is part of a story we're tracking:

Trump's Influence on Republican Party and 2024 Elections

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, impacting legislative priorities, endorsements, and internal party dynamics ahead of the 2024 elections. His calls for specific legislation and criticism of GOP members highlight ongoing divisions.

Government Spending & Oversight

Tracking how taxpayer dollars are spent, where oversight gaps exist, and what watchdogs are uncovering. From federal budget battles and earmark controversies to inspector general reports and GAO audits, this deep dive follows the money trail through every level of government. We examine defense spending, entitlement programs, infrastructure investments, and the growing national debt — focusing on accountability, waste, and the policies that shape how America allocates its resources.

Immigration & Border Policy

Tracking US immigration enforcement, border security operations, policy changes, legal challenges, and the human impact of immigration decisions on families, communities, and the broader American workforce.

Trump Administration's SAVE America Act and Republican Divisions

President Trump is pushing for the 'SAVE America Act,' leading to significant legislative battles and exposing divisions within the Republican party. Trump's efforts to sway the 2020 election narrative and his criticism of GOP leaders who don't fully support his agenda are central to this developing story.

Trump's Influence on Republican Party and 2024 Election

Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, impacting legislative efforts, primary challenges, and the national political discourse. His focus on the 2020 election and specific policy stances are shaping the GOP's agenda.

Trump's Push for SAVE America Act and Criticism of GOP Opponents

Former President Trump is pushing hard for the SAVE America Act, threatening to block legislation until it passes. He is also actively campaigning against Republican opponents, notably Rep. Thomas Massie, whom he has publicly criticized and sought to oust.

Civil Rights & Justice

Following developments in civil rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights, Supreme Court decisions, policing accountability, and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice across American institutions.

Trump's Influence on the Republican Party and Legislative Agenda

President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, pushing for his 'SAVE America Act' and publicly criticizing GOP members who don't align with his agenda. His actions are shaping legislative priorities and causing internal party conflicts.

Economy & Markets

Monitoring the US and global economy including inflation, employment, Federal Reserve policy, trade tensions, market volatility, housing affordability, and the financial pressures facing American households.

Trump's Influence on Republican Politics and Endorsements

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, making endorsements, criticizing opponents, and pushing for specific legislation. His actions are shaping primary races and legislative priorities, often leading to internal party conflicts.

Trump's SAVE America Act Push and Political Influence

President Trump is pushing hard for the SAVE America Act, threatening to block legislation until it passes. He is also using his influence to endorse candidates and criticize opponents within the Republican party.

Trump's SAVE America Act and Election Integrity Push

President Trump is pushing for the passage of the SAVE America Act, stating he will not sign any other legislation until it is enacted. This initiative, focused on election integrity, is causing legislative blockades and political maneuvering within the Republican party.

Trump's Influence on Republican Party and Policy

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, endorsing candidates, criticizing opponents, and pushing for specific legislative agendas. His actions are shaping primary races, trade policy, and legislative priorities within Congress.

Trump's Influence on Republican Politics and Endorsements

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, issuing endorsements, criticizing opponents, and leveraging his support to push legislative agendas, particularly impacting congressional races and policy debates.

Trump's Influence on Republican Primaries and Legislative Agenda

Former President Trump is actively shaping the Republican legislative agenda and primary races, notably endorsing candidates and campaigning against those who oppose him, such as Rep. Thomas Massie, while pushing for the 'SAVE America Act'.

Trump's Influence on Republican Primaries and Policy

Former President Trump is actively shaping Republican primaries, particularly in Kentucky, by endorsing candidates and campaigning against incumbents. He is also exerting pressure on Congress regarding legislation and trade policy, threatening legislative blockades.

Trump's Influence on Republican Party and 2024 Election

Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, endorsing candidates, criticizing opponents, and pushing legislative agendas. His actions are shaping primary races and national policy debates, particularly concerning election integrity and trade.

Trump's Political Influence and Endorsements

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence within the Republican party, endorsing candidates and criticizing opponents. His actions are shaping primary races and legislative debates, particularly concerning the 'SAVE America Act'.

Trump's Influence on Republican Politics and Endorsements

Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, making endorsements, criticizing opponents, and pushing his legislative agenda. His actions are shaping primary races and creating tensions within the party, particularly regarding the 'SAVE America Act' and his criticism of certain GOP members.

Trump's Influence on Republican Primaries and Internal Party Dynamics

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, actively endorsing candidates and campaigning against those he deems disloyal. His efforts include publicly criticizing and seeking to oust Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky and pressuring the Senate on legislative priorities like the SAVE Act.

Trump's Influence and Political Maneuvering

Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party and national politics, engaging in endorsements, criticisms, and policy demands. His actions include targeting political opponents, pushing for specific legislation like the SAVE Act, and facing accusations of 'racist hate speech' from a UN panel.

Trump's Influence on Republican Party and Legislative Agenda

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, endorsing candidates, criticizing opponents, and pushing for his legislative priorities like the SAVE Act. His actions are shaping primary races and creating tensions within the GOP.

Trump's Influence on Republican Politics and the SAVE Act

Former President Trump continues to exert significant influence over the Republican party, endorsing candidates and criticizing opponents. He is pushing for the passage of the 'SAVE America Act' and has threatened a legislative blockade until it is addressed, impacting various legislative efforts.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Republicans add to pressure on Senate majority leader after Trump voter ID bill call – US politics live
Politics

Republicans add to pressure on Senate majority leader after Trump voter ID bill call – US politics live

<p>Republicans join in with US president’s demand for John Thune to push through Save America act </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Democrat lawmakers have asked the Department of Justice to examine a potential conflict of interest in relation to attorney general Pam Bondi and matters involving her lawyer brother.</strong></p><p>California Democrats Adam Schiff Dave Min said they have been waiting since 16 December to hear whether the Justice Department properly implemented firewalls and screening procedures in relation to her brother Brad, <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/democrats-seek-doj-probe-in...

The Guardian US NewsMar 12
Thune stands firm on SAVE America Act despite Trump pressure
Politics

Thune stands firm on SAVE America Act despite Trump pressure

Senate Majority Leader John Thune made clear that an elections bill known as the SAVE America Act faces an unlikely path to passage.

CBS NewsMar 10
House Republicans threaten to oppose Senate bills until SAVE America Act passes
Politics

House Republicans threaten to oppose Senate bills until SAVE America Act passes

House Republicans are threatening to oppose all Senate-passed legislation until the upper chamber advances the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a GOP-backed voting requirements bill. “I’ll be voting ‘no’ on all Senate bills – other than DHS funding – until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act,” Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) wrote on…

The HillMar 13
Trump's SAVE Act push creates new FISA problem for Mike Johnson
Politics

Trump's SAVE Act push creates new FISA problem for Mike Johnson

<p>President Trump's suggestion that Republicans attach the <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/trump-wont-sign-bills-save-america-act" target="_blank">SAVE America Act</a> to the must-pass reauthorization of FISA is already complicating one of Congress' most contentious upcoming fights.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Reauthorizing <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/20/senate-reauthorizes-fisa-section-702" target="_blank">Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act</a> is always messy — and it's shaping up to be a major headache for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).</p><hr><ul><li>The House is expected to move first, with GOP leaders eyeing a vote during the upcoming work period so the Senate has time to move before FISA — which allows warrantless wiretapping of non-U.S. citizens overseas — lapses on April 20.</li><li>The House has just 12 session days before that deadline.</li></ul><p><strong>Driving the news: </strong>Trump <a href="https://www.axi...

AxiosMar 12
Trump tells Republicans the SAVE America Act will ‘guarantee the midterms’ - The Hill
Politics

Trump tells Republicans the SAVE America Act will ‘guarantee the midterms’ - The Hill

The HillMar 10
Trump administration widens its 2020 election probe as it obtains records from Arizona
Politics

Trump administration widens its 2020 election probe as it obtains records from Arizona

The Republican leader of Arizona's state Senate said Monday he has handed over records related to the 2020 presidential election to the FBI in the latest sign that the Trump administration is acting on the president's longstanding falsehoods about a race he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

PBS NewsHourMar 10
Read Next
Judge blocks Trump administration's subpoenas against Fed Chair Powell
Politics

Judge blocks Trump administration's subpoenas against Fed Chair Powell

A federal judge blocked two grand jury subpoenas against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday. Chief Judge James Boasberg wrote that "the Government has offered no evidence whatsoever that Powell committed any crime other than displeasing the President."

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources