A rare alliance between Republican and Democrat lawmakers is taking shape in Washington — and President Donald Trump is once again the target.
Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Tim Kaine are openly discussing new legislative moves designed to block President Trump from taking military action related to Greenland and to undermine his latest tariff strategy aimed at European nations.
The bipartisan maneuver is drawing attention because it mirrors previous efforts by the same duo to curb Trump’s authority — efforts that conservatives argue weaken the presidency at a time of rising global tensions.
New Push To Limit Trump’s Authority
Appearing Sunday on Meet the Press, Kaine confirmed that he and Paul are considering invoking the War Powers Act to prevent any military action involving Greenland unless Congress gives explicit approval.
“We’ve talked about it,” Kaine said, noting that while Congress is currently in recess, discussions are ongoing about when and how to proceed.
Supporters of Trump argue the move reflects a broader pattern in Washington: lawmakers from both parties attempting to box in a president who refuses to follow the foreign-policy playbook of the past.
Previous Efforts Already Failed
This is not the first time Paul and Kaine have joined forces against Trump. The two senators previously pushed a similar War Powers resolution tied to Venezuela, an effort that initially gained traction before collapsing after the White House successfully secured additional Senate votes.
Paul acknowledged that, so far, there is little Republican appetite for blocking Trump over Greenland specifically.
“I’ve heard of no Republican support for that,” Paul admitted, saying even traditionally hawkish Republicans are not on board with restricting the president’s options.
Still, several GOP senators — including James Lankford, Susan Collins, Jerry Moran, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell — have voiced discomfort with Trump’s sharp rhetoric on Greenland, signaling internal unease even if they stop short of open rebellion.
Why This Matters
Unlike most Senate legislation, a War Powers resolution only requires a simple majority to pass — not the usual 60 votes. That lower threshold is why conservatives are watching closely, even as leadership downplays the likelihood of success.
Kaine also revealed that the effort won’t stop with military authority.
Tariffs, NATO, And A Broader Challenge
The Virginia Democrat said he is also exploring legislation to block Trump’s newly announced tariffs on European allies and to prevent any attempt by the president to suspend U.S. participation in NATO without congressional approval.
Paul signaled agreement on the tariff front, noting that he and Kaine have worked together before to challenge presidential trade actions.
“You should expect to see senators join an anti-tariff resolution when we return,” Kaine said.
On Saturday, Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, set to begin Feb. 1. The move followed those nations sending troops to Greenland amid growing tensions with the United States.
Trump has warned the tariffs could increase to 25% by June if negotiations fail.
Supreme Court Could Decide
Paul suggested the fight may ultimately land before the Supreme Court of the United States, arguing that Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs stretches constitutional boundaries.
“The Constitution doesn’t say the president can simply invent new taxes whenever he wants,” Paul said.
If the court steps in, Paul said, it could deliver a major ruling on executive authority — one that reshapes how future presidents wield power.
The Bottom Line
For Trump supporters, the episode highlights a familiar pattern: establishment figures from both parties uniting to slow, block, or dilute an America-first agenda.
Whether these latest efforts gain traction or collapse like past attempts, one thing is clear — the battle between Congress and President Trump is far from over.