Trump puts Republicans on hold on DHS: From the political desk

Welcome to From the Politics Deska daily newsletter that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC Political News team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

On today’s show, Sahil Kapur delves into the latest rift between President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. Also, Lawrence Hurley reports on oral arguments in a Supreme Court case that could have important mid-year implications.

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– Adam Wollner

Trump puts Republicans on hold on DHS

Analysis by Sahil Kapur

The president Donald Trump he rejected the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and instead asked Republicans in Congress to reject any deal with Democrats unless they agreed to pass the SAVE America Act, his biggest nationwide election reform bill.

Trump first made this demand last night on Truth Social and doubled down on it today in Memphis.

“You don’t have to vote right away. Don’t worry about Easter, go home. Really, do it for Jesus. OK, do it for Jesus,” Trump said, referring to the upcoming congressional recess.

“The most important part of national security is voter ID and proof of citizenship,” he added, pointing to the two main planks of the SAVE America Act. “No one can vote for national security without a voter ID or proof of citizenship.”

His theory focuses on pairing one bill that Democrats oppose (the DHS funding measure without limits on immigration enforcement) with another bill that Democrats oppose (the SAVE America Act) — and he hopes that encourages Democrats to jump in and support both.

Not surprisingly, Trump’s proposal quickly fell flat on Capitol Hill — between both parties.

“I think you all know that’s not true,” the Senate Majority Leader said John ThuneRS.D., told reporters this afternoon when asked about Trump’s plan to bundle the two bills together.

Sen. Roger MarshallR-Kan., put it this way: “I agree with the policy, the policy, but it’s easier said than done.”

And the leader of the Senate Minerals Chuck SchumerDN.Y., called the idea “stupid” and “reckless,” calling it Trump’s “outrage.”

“He is not criticizing the American people. He cares about his election. He thinks that the SAVE law, which will not be passed, will change how the election will turn out,” Schumer said quietly. “And you’re using millions and millions of Americans as hostages. Would our Republican friends across the aisle go along with this? It stinks on the face of it.”

Important point: 60 votes are needed in the Senate to pass the DHS funding, as well as the SAVE America Act. No one has the votes, and Trump’s gamble may have pushed Congress farther from a deal to reopen DHS than it was 24 hours ago, when there was at least a normal line of communication between the White House — and the border chief. Tom Homan visiting the Capitol for bipartisan meetings.

Trump’s comments show how eager he is to pass his election bill, which he listed as his No. 1 priority. But it gave Democrats an opening to try to blame him for the DHS shutdown and the worsening airline chaos.

The off-ramp supported by some Republicans would actually accept a Democratic offer to fund the TSA and non-contradictory agencies within DHS, while preserving ICE in a separate building. Republicans who favor the idea say they can pass the ICE funding bill on their own through the “reconciliation” process of filibuster evidence, while excluding Democrats and rejecting their demands.

But at least for now, Trump’s latest demand puts that strategy in limbo.

Katie Taylor and Scott Wong contributed reporting.

✈️ Read more: ICE agents sent to airports to assist TSA with partial closures are Suzanne Gamboa, Julia Ainsley and Laura Strickler.

Supreme Court lawyers seem skeptical about mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day

Written by Lawrence Hurley

Conservative justices on the Supreme Court have questioned whether states should be allowed to count ballots that are sent in on time but arrive after Election Day.

The court today heard more than two hours of arguments as the President Donald Trump he raised his opposition to mail-in voting and urged Congress to ban it in most cases.

The court considers a Mississippi legislation, similar to measures in 13 other states, that allows mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they are marked by mail on Election Day.

Based on oral arguments, the court is closely divided on whether a federal statute that sets election dates prevents ballots from being received after that date. Some justices also questioned whether the ruling restricting late voting would raise questions about the validity of early voting.

California, New York again Texas are among states with laws comparable to Mississippi’s. Eligibility for mail-in ballots varies among those states, with Mississippi limiting it to lists that include seniors and the disabled.

If the court were to strike down Mississippi’s law, it would upend election laws in affected states, as well as for people living overseas, including members of the military. In all, 29 states allow limited time for overseas voters and the military, according to a brief filed by national security officials.

Although the Constitution gives states a major role in overseeing elections, the legal question revolves around a federal law that sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Justice Samuel Alitoone of the six dissenting members of the court, echoed one of Trump’s concerns that late ballots could give the appearance of fraud by dramatically altering the course of the election as votes are counted.

He asked whether the court should consider Congress’ decision to set the election date “for the purpose of combating fraud or the appearance of fraud” in weighing Mississippi’s law.

Read more →

That’s all from the Politburo for now. Today’s newsletter is compiled by Adam Wollner.

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