Trump Rejects GOP Off-Ramp in DHS Standoff, Ties Deal to SAVE America Act
President Donald Trump rejected a Republican-backed off-ramp to resolve the Department of Homeland Security funding standoff, extending an impasse that has led to hourslong airport security lines as unpaid TSA officers increasingly fail to report to work, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The proposal, presented by Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune, would have funded all DHS components except Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which Republicans could later fund separately through reconciliation requiring only a simple majority, people familiar with the matter told the Journal.
Trump rejected the idea after being briefed over the weekend, despite some support among Senate Republicans seeking a quicker resolution before a looming congressional recess, the Journal reported.
Instead, Trump is insisting any deal be tied to his top legislative priority, the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote and impose stricter voter ID rules, along with limits on mail-in voting, according to the Journal.
"When I announced yesterday about ICE, the Democrats called, we want to settle," Trump said Monday, adding he told negotiators, "Don't settle … because we have something bigger. Only settle if you get the Save America Act," according to remarks reported by the Journal.
Democrats denied reaching out to the president and have instead pushed for narrower funding bills covering TSA and other nonimmigration DHS functions while continuing to oppose additional ICE funding, the Journal reported.
The dispute has left DHS partially shut down since last month, though ICE remains funded through prior legislation, while TSA officers have gone without paychecks, contributing to widespread absenteeism and long lines at major airports during peak travel periods, according to the Journal.
Trump has proposed sending ICE agents to airports to assist with security lines, with administration officials saying the agents could handle basic tasks such as checking identification to free TSA officers for more specialized screening duties, the Journal reported.
White House border adviser Tom Homan said the goal is to "release TSA resources," while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said officials are "looking around every corner" to manage disruptions caused by the staffing shortages, according to the Journal.
The plan has drawn skepticism from lawmakers in both parties, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski questioning whether airport security roles fit ICE's mission, and critics warning agents lack the training required for aviation screening, the Journal reported.
Trump has also indicated he could accept a $5 billion cut in ICE funding in exchange for passage of the SAVE America Act, underscoring his effort to use the funding fight as leverage for broader policy changes, according to the Journal.
With a March 27 deadline approaching before Congress is scheduled to leave for a two-week recess, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to reach a deal as TSA workers risk missing more than a month of pay and airport disruptions continue, the Journal reported.
Donald Trump branded “classless” over behavior towards Queen Camilla…
Donald Trump faced criticism after appearing to position himself in front of Queen Camilla during a formal greeting ceremony at King Charles III’s state visit to the United States.
The four-day diplomatic tour was designed to strengthen ties between the two nations. The visit featured a military review on the South Lawn and an address to Congress by King Charles emphasizing the trans-Atlantic relationship.
What Happened
During the formal greeting ceremony, Trump appeared to step in front of Queen Camilla as she moved to shake hands with invited guests. The interaction, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, disrupted the established sequence of royal protocol where visiting monarchs typically take precedence in formal exchanges.
Critics characterized the action as a breach of diplomatic protocol and discourtesy toward traditional customs governing state ceremonies. The moment reignited discussions about Trump’s past interactions with the Royal Family, which have previously drawn scrutiny for deviations from monarchical protocol.
The Response
Some observers offered a more measured perspective, suggesting that the logistical complexities of high-profile diplomatic events frequently result in minor overlaps in movement during crowded ceremonies. Others viewed the moment as a notable lapse in diplomatic awareness regarding established customs.
The broader state visit maintained its focus on historical unity and shared policy objectives despite the controversy surrounding the brief exchange. Digital media shaped public perception of the diplomatic event, with the visual moment carrying significant weight alongside substantive policy discussions.
Photo Of Trump Family On Election Night Turns Heads After People Spot Small Detail!
Melania Trump was noticeably absent from a widely shared family photo taken at Mar-a-Lago on election night, prompting questions about her role in Donald Trump’s political future.
The photograph showed members of the Trump family gathered to mark the results of the presidential election. The missing figure of Melania Trump from the image quickly drew attention on social media and among political observers.
The Photo and Its Significance
The image captured the Trump family at their Florida residence as election results came in. Her absence from the frame raised questions among observers about her level of involvement in the campaign and her future responsibilities.
Melania Trump has maintained a notably low public profile throughout much of the 2024 election cycle. She made limited campaign appearances compared to spouses of other presidential candidates.
Questions About Her Role
The missing presence sparked broader discussions about the expectations placed on presidential spouses. Historically, First Ladies have been expected to maintain a visible public presence and active schedule.
Her approach differs markedly from traditional models of the role. Some observers have noted her apparent preference for privacy and limited public engagement in recent years.
What Comes Next
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, questions remain about what capacity Melania Trump will assume in Washington. Her future involvement in official duties remains unclear.
Her choices regarding public life and the First Lady role will likely influence broader conversations about presidential spouses and their autonomy in defining their positions. The coming months will provide clarity on her intentions.
California Dems Pass ‘Stop Nick Shirley’ Bill After He Exposed Massive Fraud…
California’s state Assembly passed legislation Tuesday that would enhance privacy protections for service providers, weeks after an independent journalist’s investigation into alleged welfare and hospice fraud drew scrutiny from state Democrats.
The Assembly voted 57-19 to advance AB2624, sending the measure to the state Senate. Assembly member Mia Bonta, wife of California’s attorney general, sponsored the bill, which expands the state’s Safe At Home program to include workers at immigrant service providers.
What the Bill Does
The legislation allows participants to use substitute addresses designated by the secretary of state, keeping home, work and school addresses out of public records while enabling them to receive mail and legal documents, Bonta said. The bill targets what sponsors describe as online harassment and doxing of immigrant service workers.
“It allows participants to use a substitute address designated by the secretary of state, keeping their home, work and school addresses out of public records, while still allowing them to safely receive mail and legal documents through the state,” Bonta said.
The Timing and Controversy
The bill arrived less than two months after independent journalist Nick Shirley released an investigation into alleged fraud within Minnesota welfare programs, and weeks after he traveled to California to examine claims of fraudulent activity in taxpayer-funded hospice operations. Critics say the legislation targets the messenger rather than addressing the underlying fraud allegations.
Assembly member Carl DeMaio, a Republican, urged colleagues to reject the measure. “Nick Shirley shows up with his camera crew to the Somali Learning Center – or maybe one of the 90 fake hospices operating in a building in Los Angeles that was highlighted by CBS News,” DeMaio said.
“People have a right to go out there and kick the tires and find out what these organizations are doing with our taxpayer funds,” DeMaio added.
Supporters’ Position
Co-sponsor Christopher M. Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, said the state has a responsibility to protect people who face targeting because of their work. Bonta stated that employees at immigrant service providers have been targeted and doxed online.
Reagan-Appointed Judge Resigns So He Can Attack Trump
Senior U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, appointed by President Ronald Reagan four decades ago, has resigned from the federal bench to speak publicly against what he says are threats to judicial independence under the current administration.
Wolf, who took senior status in 2013 after serving on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, published an essay in The Atlantic on November 9 stating he could no longer remain constrained by judicial ethics rules limiting political commentary. The judge cited the administration’s actions as an “assault on the rule of law,” accusing it of weaponizing the legal system against political opponents.
Why He Resigned
Wolf began his career at the Department of Justice in 1974 following the Watergate scandal, where he was shaped by former Attorney General Edward Levi’s commitment to impartial justice. “Silence, for me, is now intolerable,” Wolf wrote in his departure statement, framing his resignation as a matter of conscience after more than four decades serving the judiciary.
The judge’s seat will not create a new vacancy available for presidential appointment, as it was already filled when he transitioned to senior status.
The White House Response
Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson quickly attacked Wolf’s decision, calling him and similarly minded judges “radical judges” prioritizing personal agendas over neutral legal interpretation. “Judges that want to inject their own personal agenda into the law have no place on the bench,” Jackson said, noting that Wolf’s resignation aligned with her statement that those wanting to engage in politics should first leave the bench.
Jackson pointed to the administration’s more than 20 Supreme Court victories as evidence that its policies withstand legal scrutiny.
The Broader Context
Wolf’s resignation reflects escalating tensions between sections of the judiciary and the executive branch during a politically divided era. The move has drawn contrasting interpretations, with supporters viewing it as principled defense of institutional integrity while critics frame it as judicial activism.
The episode underscores intensifying debate over judicial conduct boundaries and rule of law protections as the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections.
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