Trump Links DHS Budget to Voter ID Legislation in Congressional Standoff

President Trump announced he won't support any Department of Homeland Security funding agreement unless Congress passes legislation requiring citizenship proof for voter registration. The president also threatened to station ICE agents at airports indefinitely until Democrats agree to fund DHS.

President Donald Trump declared Sunday that he will not support any funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security unless Congressional Democrats first pass legislation mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration, according to a NewsNation interview.

Speaking to reporters, Trump stated he believes “no deal should be made on this until they approve Save America,” as quoted by a NewsNation journalist on X Sunday evening.

The legislation in question, known as the Save America Act, would require individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. The measure faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to advance but Republicans control only 53 seats in the 100-member chamber.

The president also indicated his willingness to station Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at airports indefinitely, telling NewsNation he’s ready to deploy ICE agents “for as long as it takes.” This follows Trump’s weekend announcement about placing ICE personnel in airports until Democratic legislators agree to approve DHS funding.

“Now that I did this, the Democrats want to make a deal. And I don’t think any deal should be made on this until they approve SAVE America,” Trump stated in the interview.

Supporters of the citizenship verification measure claim it would reduce voter fraud, backing Trump’s unsubstantiated assertions about widespread illegal voting by non-citizens in American elections.

Opposition voices, including Democrats and civil rights advocates, contend the legislation could prevent eligible American voters from participating in elections, particularly those who may not have immediate access to documents like passports or birth certificates.