By Gloria Ogbonna
In a move that has intensified the ongoing political standoff in Washington, President Donald Trump заявил he is unwilling to support any agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless lawmakers first pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over airport security operations, staffing shortages, and a partial shutdown affecting key federal agencies.
Speaking during a phone call with Hannah Brandt, Trump made it clear that while Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a deal to restore DHS funding, he believes negotiations should be put on hold until election-related reforms are addressed. According to Brandt, Trump emphasized that the SAVE Act is a top priority and should take precedence over any temporary funding agreement.
The SAVE Act, which focuses on stricter voter identification requirements and election security measures, has become a central demand for Trump and many Republicans.
The former president reiterated that no compromise should move forward unless Democrats agree to provisions such as voter ID laws, proof of citizenship for voting, limits on mail-in ballots, and a return to paper-based voting systems.
The conversation also touched on Trump’s recent proposal to deploy agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with airport security operations. When asked how long he would be willing to keep ICE agents stationed at airports, Trump responded bluntly: “For as long as it takes.” The plan, he suggested, would allow ICE agents to perform security functions and potentially detain undocumented individuals encountered during operations.
🚨#BREAKING: ABSOLUTE PANDAMONIUM at the New Orleans airport this morning where the TSA security line stretched…
…ALL THE WAY OUT INTO THE PARKING GARAGE!!!!
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS JUST TO GET ON AN AIRPLANE!!!! pic.twitter.com/Qs7ZnqpMYL
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) March 22, 2026
Trump indicated that his proposal may have already shifted the political landscape, claiming that Democrats became more open to negotiations after he floated the idea of ICE stepping in at airports. However, he maintained that any deal would still hinge on the passage of the SAVE Act.
In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump doubled down on his stance, using strong language to criticize Democratic lawmakers and reject any agreement that does not include election reforms. He argued that approving the SAVE Act is “far more important” than other legislative priorities, including funding arrangements that could impact immigration enforcement agencies.
As of 5:13pm ET, ATL TSA line is at least 3-4 hours long. Wraps around the entire baggage area multiple times.
INSANE.
Headed over to the international terminal to see if it’s any shorter. @FmrRepMTG @TSA pic.twitter.com/NrPqLWtgtj
— Brian Glenn (@brianglenntv) March 22, 2026
Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers, including Ted Cruz, have proposed alternative solutions to break the deadlock. Cruz suggested separating funding for agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the broader DHS budget, potentially allowing critical operations to continue even if a comprehensive agreement remains out of reach.
The funding impasse has already had visible consequences across the country. Airports are experiencing unusually long security lines, especially during the busy spring break travel season.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which falls under DHS, has been significantly impacted by the funding lapse. With many employees working without pay since mid-February, staffing shortages have worsened, leading to operational strain.
SECURITY LINES OUT THE DOOR.
Americans are now missing their flights because of the Democrats shutdown of DHS. Their political stunt is forcing patriotic TSA officers to work without pay — leading to financial hardship, absences, and crippling staffing shortages.
Enough is… pic.twitter.com/tGQCmGkRT0
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 8, 2026
According to reports, more than 400 TSA employees have resigned since the partial shutdown began, with a substantial portion of those workers having several years of experience. This loss of seasoned personnel has raised concerns about both efficiency and security at major transportation hubs nationwide.
As the political standoff continues, travelers are being advised to arrive at airports at least three to four hours before their scheduled flights to account for delays.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the situation underscores the broader implications of legislative gridlock not only for government operations but also for everyday Americans navigating disrupted travel and security systems.
Source Breitbart
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