What's Going On? Republicans Turn On Trump Days Before Midterms
A bipartisan group of senators has warned the White House that they may block President Donald Trump’s nominees over reported disruptions to satellite communications used by Ukraine’s military. The standoff could complicate the administration’s effort to confirm dozens of nominees during the post-midterm lame-duck session.
The dispute centers on Starlink and Starshield, SpaceX satellite systems used by Ukrainian forces for communications and military operations. Ukrainian officials reported that speed restrictions interfered with drones and efforts to intercept Russian attacks. Responsibility for the limits was disputed, and Trump and senior administration officials denied ordering an intentional slowdown.
The situation shifted Saturday: Ukraine’s president said service had returned to normal speeds. That development may satisfy the senators’ immediate demand, but questions about who imposed the restrictions and how they affected operations remain unresolved.
President Trump said he had not ordered Ukraine’s access restricted and did not believe Elon Musk was responsible. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration had “nothing to do with that.” Trump later said he would address any remaining access problems.
The prospect of a confirmation blockade reflects growing Republican resistance to the administration’s approach to the war. Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has threatened investigations, funding cuts and possible efforts to remove officials if evidence shows they were responsible for the disruptions.
“I’m personally not buying the coincidence argument,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to the timing of the service problems and the administration’s worsening relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent who worked on Russian counterintelligence matters in Kyiv, said he had spoken with Zelenskyy and was also concerned about delays in delivering ballistic missile interceptors and interruptions to early-warning intelligence.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, organized a bipartisan call with Zelenskyy. Afterward, they said Ukraine’s access to some satellite capabilities remained degraded, including for fast-moving systems used to intercept Russian drones.
Other Republicans have called for answers. Reps. Mike Turner of Ohio and Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota have publicly urged investigations. Nine senators—including Republicans Tillis, Susan Collins, John Cornyn and Lisa Murkowski—asked the Defense Department inspector general to examine whether department decisions or contractors contributed to the disruption.
The satellite dispute has become part of a wider congressional fight over the administration’s Russia policy. Some Republicans have challenged moves easing economic pressure on Moscow and urged Trump to maintain sanctions. The White House has defended its approach as an effort to create conditions for negotiations to end the war.
Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon, who is retiring, has threatened to oppose administration priorities over its handling of the conflict, including Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.
“The agenda is dead,” Bacon told Politico, arguing that he would not support major spending priorities while objecting to the president’s approach toward Russia. Other Republicans, including Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina, have backed Trump’s strategy as an attempt to bring the more-than-four-year war to negotiations.
The senators’ threat to hold nominees has added a domestic political cost to a dispute over foreign policy. Republicans are expected to use the lame-duck session to advance confirmations before the current Congress ends, making even temporary resistance potentially consequential.
For now, the reported restoration of service eases the immediate pressure point. It does not answer whether officials or contractors authorized the restrictions, whether advance notice was given, or what safeguards will prevent a similar disruption. Those questions are the focus of the inspector general request and separate congressional inquiries into SpaceX and the Pentagon’s reliance on its satellite systems.