Trump rebukes Warren over amendment to rename bases named for Confederates

President Trump rebuked Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday after a Republican-led Senate panel approved her amendment to annual policy legislation that would require the Pentagon to rename bases named after Confederate military leaders.

Trump dismissed Warren as a “seriously failed presidential candidate” and mocked her with the nickname “Pocahontas” in a tweet, while warning Republican senators not to support the amendment.

“Seriously failed presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren, just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many of our legendary Military Bases from which we trained to WIN two World Wars,” Trump tweeted Thursday afternoon. “Hopefully our great Republican Senators won’t fall for this!”

Seriously failed presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren, just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many of our legendary Military Bases from which we trained to WIN two World Wars. Hopefully our great Republican Senators won’t fall for this!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020

Earlier Thursday that the GOP-led Senate Armed Services Committee approved Warren’s amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a voice vote during a closed-door markup. 

The development came one day after Trump rejected the idea of renaming Army bases named after Confederate officers. The White House has indicated that Trump would veto the legislation if it mandated changing the names of the bases. 

“These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “Our history as the Greatest Nation in the World will not be tampered with. Respect our Military!” 

Trump’s declaration put him at odds with the military. An Army spokesperson said earlier this week that both Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Defense Secretary Mark Esper were “open” to renaming the 10 bases named after Confederate officers.

The developments Thursday set up a confrontation between the White House and Congress, given the Republican support for Warren’s amendment.

At least one Republican on the committee, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), said he opposed the measure.

The bases named after Confederate leaders are located in Southern states and include Fort Lee, Fort Hood, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, Fort Bragg, Fort Polk, Fort Pickett, Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Rucker and Camp Beauregard.