Capitol agenda: Trump muddies DHS talks

The deadline is approaching for negotiations to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, and President Donald Trump is complicating matters.

With the House and Senate set to take a two-week recess soon, the pressure is on to reach a deal. If no agreement is made, the DHS funding gap could extend to at least two months, potentially setting a new record for the longest federal agency shutdown. Trump, however, has stated he isn’t interested in a deal unless the Senate passes the SAVE America Act.

Despite Trump’s warnings, the looming two-month shutdown threat is reigniting previously stalled negotiations. Starting Monday, the Trump administration will assign ICE agents to airports to handle tasks like guarding exits, allowing TSA agents to concentrate on passenger and baggage screening.

A bipartisan group of senators plans to meet with border czar Tom Homan on Monday to continue discussions. This follows a broader proposal from the White House last Friday that suggested changes to DHS immigration enforcement strategies.

“We’ll see if they can land something,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune commented in an interview on Sunday.

However, Trump added complications to the negotiations on Sunday night.

When queried by NewsNation about whether Congress should fund TSA while negotiating other DHS components, he replied, “I don’t think any deal should be made on this until they approve SAVE America.” On Truth Social, he further stated, “I don’t think we should make any deal with the Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats unless, and until, they Vote with Republicans to pass ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’”

This stance reflects the belief among some Republicans that Trump is not inclined to support a DHS deal without the elections bill passing. Still, negotiators and leadership members remain hopeful of reaching a compromise.

Trump also opposes splitting DHS funding. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), and other conservatives have suggested funding most of DHS now through a bipartisan agreement, with plans to fund ICE and CBP separately through budget reconciliation. This was disclosed by two individuals who preferred to remain anonymous. Thune did not dismiss this idea on Sunday, mentioning it as one of several options, though he is urging Democrats to fund the entire DHS.

Despite progress in negotiations, a record-breaking DHS shutdown remains likely. Although the Senate may stay in session to resolve the issue, House GOP leaders do not intend to shorten their recess, according to three anonymous sources. The House is expected to vote again on DHS funding on Thursday.

Also noteworthy: Senate Democrats plan to force at least one vote on Iran war powers this week, with House Democrats aiming to do the same. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) expressed over the weekend that it is time for Congress to consider a formal authorization for military force, noting her collaboration with Republicans on such an authorization.

What else we’re watching: The Senate will reconvene at 3 p.m. to conclude the debate on Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-Okla.) nomination for DHS secretary. Mullin is anticipated to be confirmed Monday night, following support from Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who joined most Republicans on Sunday to advance his nomination.

Jennifer Scholtes, Jordain Carney, Katherine Tully-McManus, and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.