Trump says no deal on shutdown until Dems support SAVE America Act

President Donald Trump said late Sunday that negotiations to end the partial government shutdown will remain at a standstill unless Democrats agree to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, escalating tensions in an already deadlocked Congress.

“I don’t think we should make any deal with the Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats unless, and until, they Vote with Republicans to pass ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The legislation, strongly backed by the president, would require proof of citizenship to vote and significantly restrict mail-in voting. Trump framed the measure as a top legislative priority, tying it directly to ongoing efforts to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“It is far more important than anything else we are doing in the Senate, and that includes giving these same terrible people, the Dems (who are to blame for this mess!), a Five Billion Dollar cut in ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] funding, a deal which, even when disguised as something else, is unacceptable to me and the American people – UNLESS it includes their approval of Voter I.D., (with picture!), Citizenship to Vote, No Mail-In Voting (with exceptions), All Paper Ballots, No Men In Women’s Sports, and No Transgender MUTILIZATION of our precious children,” he added.

Despite Trump’s push, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has repeatedly said the bill does not have enough support to pass in the Senate. The chamber’s 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation remains a significant hurdle, and few lawmakers have expressed willingness to eliminate the filibuster as Trump suggested.

Trump also called on Thune to “clearly identify” Republicans who oppose the bill, accusing them of “Voting against AMERICA.” He added, “They will never be elected again! In other words, lump everything together as one, and VOTE!!! Kill the Filibuster, and stay in D.C. for Easter, if necessary.”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed pessimism about resolving the DHS funding impasse, with some warning that no agreement is likely unless Trump drops his demand to link funding with passage of the SAVE America Act.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski pushed back on that approach, emphasizing the need for a more immediate solution. “This is not the answer for what we need to do. We need to figure out how we get DHS funded,” she said. “We got to figure it out before [the end of] next week.”

Democrats have so far refused to support full DHS funding, citing concerns over the administration’s immigration policies. They have voted down multiple proposals, maintaining demands for broader reforms as the shutdown continues with no clear resolution in sight.