GOP Senators Clash Over Trump Power, Appointments, Putin Talks

President Donald Trump is facing criticism from within his own party as he prepares for high-stakes meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with some Republican senators, including Chuck Grassley, releasing documents that may weaken Trump's negotiating position. Senator Mike Lee's push to allow Trump to make recess appointments has sparked debate among Republicans, with some fearing it could undermine Senate traditions and provoke reciprocal actions from Democrats. Meanwhile, Trump has verbally attacked Grassley over judicial appointment practices, raising concerns about the erosion of Senate checks on presidential power and the decline of traditional Republican values on character and behavior. Senator Rand Paul has openly criticized Trump for his executive power grabs, comparing his approach to that of monarchs and warning that Trump’s legacy may be defined more by his use of executive authority, including tariffs imposed without Congressional approval, than by his policy achievements. These internal GOP tensions reflect broader concerns about Trump's leadership style and its impact on American institutions and governance.