IDK about this particular administration, but the government did place Tornado cash on the sanctions list (now removed). Which does operate differently than monero, but from the view of a bureaucrat I think similar effect.
Yes. I would bet on it. Certain Democrats don't like Monero because of the criminal activity around it. If the king told Republicans to ban it, they would be able to get enough Dems on board to avoid any filibuster problems.