Trump Comments On Thune Proposal
President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to advance a temporary funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security that would exclude funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to multiple reports.
The proposal, outlined by Punchbowl News, would have allowed DHS operations to continue while deferring ICE funding to a later legislative package through the reconciliation process.
The approach was designed in part to address immediate operational concerns, including reported disruptions affecting Transportation Security Administration staffing and airport wait times.
Under the reported framework, Democrats would not have secured several of their key policy demands, including restrictions on federal agents’ use of masks or new warrant requirements. However, the plan aimed to provide short-term stability for DHS functions while postponing more contentious immigration-related funding debates.
Trump declined to support the proposal, instead urging Republican lawmakers to remain in Washington and continue negotiations tied to broader legislative priorities. Central to his position is the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed bill focused on voter identification requirements and proof-of-citizenship provisions.
In a public statement, Trump made clear that he opposes any agreement with Democrats on DHS funding unless it is directly linked to passage of the SAVE America Act and related election policy measures. He also criticized proposals that would reduce ICE funding, describing them as unacceptable without broader concessions.
The president further warned that he would publicly criticize Republican senators who leave Washington without resolving the issue, signaling a willingness to escalate pressure within his own party. He also floated the idea of keeping lawmakers in session through the Easter period if necessary to force a resolution.
The dispute comes as operational strains are being reported within DHS-linked services, including increased wait times at airports, adding urgency to ongoing negotiations. Lawmakers now face mounting pressure to resolve the funding impasse while navigating competing priorities within Congress and the administration.
