Trump Calls on GOP Senators to Remain in Washington Over Easter 'For Jesus' to Pass Homeland Security Funding
In a striking appeal blending political strategy with religious rhetoric, former President Donald Trump has urged Republican senators to stay in Washington DC during the upcoming Easter recess "for Jesus." Speaking at a Make America Safe Again event in Memphis, Trump framed the request as a moral imperative, telling reporters, "Don't worry about Easter—going home. In fact, make this one for Jesus, okay? Make this one for Jesus, that's what I tell them. It would be a damn good thing."
Behind the Religious Appeal: A Push to Fund Homeland Security
However, Trump's motivation extends beyond the White House Easter Egg Hunt. His true aim is to pressure GOP lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act and approve critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The funding delay, which Trump has repeatedly blamed on Democrats, has led to severe travel disruptions across the United States, including lengthy airport queues and TSA agent walkouts due to unpaid wages.
Interestingly, it was Republican senators who recently blocked a motion from Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer that would have restored funding for the TSA. Now, Trump is directing his plea to his own voter base, urging them to remain in the capital and advance his legislative agenda over the holidays. "I'm tying Homeland Security into voter identification, with picture, and proof of citizenship in order to vote," Trump explained. "Those two items are the most important things having to do with homeland security, so it should be part of the Homeland Security bill."
Time is Running Out as Recess Looms
With senators set to begin a two-week recess at the end of this week, the urgency is palpable. If the bill stalls further, travel delays could persist for up to a month, exacerbating the current crisis. In response, Trump has already taken unilateral action by deploying ICE agents to major airports nationwide, including JFK and LaGuardia in New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, and Phoenix.
In a rambling Truth Social post, Trump defended the move, stating, "The Radical Left Democrats have hurt so many people with their vicious and uncaring ways. What they have done to the Department of Homeland Security, our fantastic TSA Officers, and, most importantly, the great people of our Country, is an absolute disgrace." He added, "If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before! The Fascist Democrats will never protect America, but the Republicans will."
ICE Deployment Sparks Concerns and Clarifications
Despite widespread worry about the role of ICE officers in airports, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sought to reassure the public, clarifying that ICE will operate solely under TSA guidance and not engage in immigration matters. According to Dickens, ICE officers will assist with queue management and crowd control exclusively within domestic terminals.
Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar," elaborated on the rationale behind the deployment in an interview with CNN. "There are TSA agents covering exits. People who enter through the exits," Homan said. "Certainly, a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer can cover an exit, make sure people don't go through those exits, and enter an airport through the exits."
As the political standoff continues, Trump's blend of religious appeal and hardline security measures underscores the high stakes of the funding battle. With Easter approaching and travel chaos mounting, the pressure on Republican senators to heed Trump's call and pass the SAVE America Act is intensifying, setting the stage for a critical showdown in Washington.
