Trump activates MAGA caucus to kill Senate border deal, weaken McConnell

Allies of former President Trump are trying to maximize public opposition to the border deal "to make Senate leadership sweat," according to a source familiar with the effort.

Why it matters: Trump is once again flexing his dominance within the GOP to test whether his endorsers will break with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.).

Trump's team needs 41 senators to publicly oppose the bill to successfully tank it in the Senate — and they already have 20.

They also can count on some...