Senator Rand Paul criticized the White House on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, after his invitation to the annual Congressional picnic was revoked. He described the decision as “incredibly petty” and stated that it caused him to lose respect for President Donald Trump.
The Republican senator from Kentucky informed reporters that he discovered he was no longer invited to Thursday’s event when he went to collect his tickets. Paul mentioned he had intended to attend the bipartisan gathering with his family before being told his invitation had been withdrawn.
Paul attributed the withdrawal to his opposition to Trump’s major legislation, referred to as the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which the Congressional Budget Office reported would increase the national debt by trillions of dollars. He has been a vocal critic of the spending package, citing concerns over its financial implications.
Outside the Capitol, Paul expressed his dismay at what he perceived as retaliatory measures. He highlighted that he had remained respectful while opposing the administration on policy grounds. The senator pointed out that despite criticizing previous presidents, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden, he had never been excluded from White House events.
Paul specifically criticized White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, accusing him of orchestrating a social media campaign against him. The senator claimed the White House engaged in a paid influencer operation targeting him for about two weeks on X.
He also challenged Miller’s comments on habeas corpus, expressing alarm over discussions of suspending constitutional protections. Paul suggested that those leading the campaign against him might disregard constitutional principles.
Hours after Paul’s remarks, Trump responded on Truth Social, indicating that the senator and his family were still welcome at the event. The president stated Paul was invited to the White House gathering, describing him as a challenging vote in Senate history and expressing hope to gain his support for the legislation.
Trump’s statement seemed to contradict Paul’s account, leaving it unclear whether Paul was initially excluded and later reinstated or if the disinvitation never occurred. The president called the bill one of the most significant pieces of legislation presented to Congress, underscoring its importance to his “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky also reported being excluded, stating on social media that his tickets were withheld. Massie criticized the White House decision as petty, noting that Democratic lawmakers, such as Nancy Pelosi, received invitations, while Republican critics did not.
Paul has been a consistent Republican critic of Trump in the Senate, being one of the last GOP senators to endorse him during the 2024 election. The senator recently faced criticism from the administration for likening Trump’s planned military parade to those in the Soviet Union and North Korea.
The senator suggested he might support the legislation if the debt limit provision were removed, though he admitted this was unlikely before the Senate vote. With Republicans holding a narrow majority, they can afford to lose support from only three senators, making Paul’s opposition significant for the bill’s passage.
Paul emphasized that his criticism was based on genuine concerns about the nation’s fiscal direction rather than political strategy. He argued that the White House’s response showed little interest in securing his vote through substantial policy discussions, instead opting for personal attacks.
The situation highlighted growing tensions between Trump and some party members concerned about spending and constitutional issues. Paul’s public criticism suggested the dispute had moved beyond policy disagreements to issues of political maturity and respect for institutional norms.
In a later interview, Paul referred to Miller as a “knucklehead” while discussing the deputy chief of staff’s views on habeas corpus and constitutional rights. He maintained his criticism of officials he accused of being willing to suspend fundamental legal rights.
The Congressional picnic incident highlighted the challenges Trump faces in maintaining Republican unity while advancing his legislative agenda, particularly among fiscal conservatives who traditionally oppose significant spending measures, regardless of party leadership.
