John Thune Vows to Fight Democrats After Midterm Losses, and Conservatives Erupt
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is promising that Republicans will use every tool available alongside President Donald Trump now that Democrats have captured both chambers of Congress.
But many conservatives are not buying it. Thune's message set off a wave of anger online from GOP supporters who say he failed to pass Trump's agenda while Republicans still held the majority.
Democrats flipped the House and Senate on Tuesday, ending the unified Republican government that began after Trump's 2024 victory. Republicans had entered the election with a 53-47 Senate majority, and races in Alaska and Mississippi were still unresolved.
Democrats had already secured the Senate majority by Wednesday, leaving Republicans to face the reality that Thune will soon lead the minority rather than the majority.
READ MORE: California Voters Reject Prop 39 Voter ID Amendment by Wide Margin
Thune Defends His Record
In a post on X, Thune acknowledged the losses but defended the Senate GOP's performance. "Over the last two years, Senate Republicans have put up a strong record of accomplishment that's created safer streets, more money in Americans' pockets, and new opportunities for families and businesses to get ahead," he wrote.
He said Republicans "prevented the largest tax hike in American history, secured our border in an unprecedented way, confirmed the president's Cabinet at the fastest pace in two decades," and confirmed conservative judges faster than at any time since Reagan.
"I'm proud of our team and everything we've done for the American people," Thune added.
Thune said he was looking forward to "the important work we have in front of us over the next few months," before the new Democratic majorities take over.
"You Own It"
Election lawyer Cleta Mitchell tore into the post. She wrote that Senate Republicans under his "leadership" "did nothing" and failed to pass even the SAVE America Act, whose provisions she said were widely backed by voters of both parties.
Mitchell called the midterm wipeout "the Thune election" and told him: "You own it." She also accused the conference of berating Sen. Mike Lee of Utah for pushing longer workweeks to move the bill.
READ MORE: JD Vance Says "The Reason We Lost Is the War" After Democrats Take Congress
"You had the chance to begin the process of saving our election system from the radical left. By passing the SAVE America Act. But K Street either didn't care or opposed it. So why bother, right?" she wrote, referring to Washington's lobbying corridor.
"Because the GOP Senate only does what can be monetized via those endless lobbyist dinners / fundraisers," Mitchell continued.
Conservatives Pile On
Others were just as angry. "You wouldn't pass legislation that 80% of the country wanted. There was no obstruction, you were a majority. WERE," one X account wrote.
"I'm deeply saddened by our many losses, but glad you will no longer be in charge," the same account added.
"You are the reason we lost midterms. You took more vacations than you worked," another user said. Others called on him to resign.
Conservative analyst Tony Shaffer, a former Army officer, wrote that Thune "will be remembered as one of the worst Senate leaders in history."
The backlash highlights a deepening rift between grassroots conservatives and Senate GOP leadership, just as Republicans prepare to move into the minority for the final two years of Trump's term.