Trump’s DHS cuts fuel Republican fightback: 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 digs into the key factor driving the Republican phase in the DHS shutdown. Also, we deal with the latest updates on the war in Iran as it enters its second month.

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– Adam Wollner

Trump’s cuts to DHS are fueling Republican tensions

Analysis by Sahil Kapur

The president Donald TrumpThe shutdown of legislative programs on Capitol Hill has fueled a new round of Republican infighting as the Department of Homeland Security is in the midst of the longest federal department shutdown in US history.

After the Senate unanimously passed a bill earlier Friday to fund all of DHS except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Protection, House Speaker. Mike JohnsonR-La., dismissed it as a “joke” and refused to put it down. He wanted to remove the Senate Majority Leader John ThuneRS.D., and blame it on Senate Democrats, even though the GOP controls the chamber.

Trump did not comment publicly on the Senate bill or the House passage that would fund the entire DHS. Both Thune and Johnson think they are moving forward with their controversial bills with Trump’s blessing.

The finger-pointing was rampant today when the Senate went into a “pro forma” session and did not attempt to introduce the House-passed bill.

“BUT THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN IN THE MORNING. Why? Because not a single Republican Senator has stepped up to put this DHS shutdown where it belongs – on the Democrats,” Rep. John RoseR-Tenn., posted on X. “And I think it’s because they ran away from Washington.”

Some Senate Republicans who refused to oppose the passage of this bill and the decision to take a break for two weeks now want to distance themselves from those measures. That includes the Sens. Rick ScottR-Fla., and Mike LeeR-Utah, who called for adjournment and passage of the DHS funding bill without Democratic votes — which would require a filibuster.

A lawyer. Randy Finethe outspoken and controversial Florida Republican, told X, “It’s crazy that the Senate Republicans didn’t even introduce our bill to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. They didn’t even try. End the holidays and junk and get your asses back in DC. Now.”

For his part, Trump called it a “disgrace” last night and demanded — again — that Republicans end the 60-vote rule.

“They should end the filibuster and they should vote. That’s what I think,” Trump told reporters. “I think the Senate is playing too soft.”

But Senate Republicans have made it clear for more than a year that they won’t do that, with various members standing firm in their support for a legislative filibuster.

The lack of an effective approach from the White House has left Republicans on Capitol Hill shaking in the wind, with no one other than Trump having the power to call the game, and activists and lobbyists hacking others within the party as there is still no solution.

The feud has given Democrats the power to blame the GOP shutdown. Spokesperson for the Senate Mineral Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said, “From the division and inconsistency among the Republicans it is clear that this is the closing of the Republic.”

More from NBC News on the DHS closure:

• Amid the long lines and delays at airports, travelers told NBC News they feel sorry for the airline workers caught up in the shutdown — and they’re very frustrated with politicians in Washington for letting it all happen.
• A border king Tom Homan said ICE agents will remain at airports until TSA officials can resume normal operations, reports Megan Lebowitz.
• Follow live updates →

War on Iran, Day 31: Trump threatens Iran’s energy and water if deal not reached soon

The president Donald Trump threatened the destruction of Iran’s energy and water infrastructure if an agreement to end the war and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz is not reached soon. In a letter to Truth Social this morning, Trump said “substantial progress has been made” in negotiations with Iran. But a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said there are no direct talks with the US and called the peace proposals “absurd” and “absurd.”

And in an interview with the Financial Times yesterday, Trump said he would like to “take oil from Iran” and is considering taking over the Kharg Island export terminal, which accounts for more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports.

Get NBC’s coverage of the Iran war:

• As oil prices rise in the global economy, some analysts say the worst could happen as the conflict continues, writes Rob Wile.
• Iran has said it is ready to face US forces on the ground, accusing Washington of planning a secret attack while seeking talks to end the war, reports Freddie Clayton.
• While most Iranians are banned from accessing the internet, one of the country’s growing numbers is using social media to confront Trump, notes Alexander Smith.
• Russia took satellite images of a US air base in Saudi Arabia three days before Iran attacked the base and injured US soldiers, according to a summary of Ukrainian intelligence shared with NBC News by the President. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Activists who spoke with Peter Nicholas at CPAC in Texas said they trust Trump that he attacked Iran for a good reason, but they worry about the chaos a war could cause.
• Follow live updates →

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

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