In a speech delivered in Memphis, Tennessee, former President Donald Trump referenced Jesus Christ as he urged Congress to pass his proposed election reform legislation. Trump expressed his intention to instruct Republicans to withhold funding from the Department of Homeland Security until the Senate approves the “SAVE America Act.”
The proposed act includes provisions such as requiring voters to present photo identification to register, a requirement that many eligible voters lack. Additionally, Trump aims to prohibit postal and absentee voting, advocating for the majority of Americans to vote in person on the same day.
One contentious aspect of the bill is the provision allowing Trump to access state-maintained voter rolls, raising concerns that he may use this data to cast doubt on the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections by making unfounded claims of electoral fraud.
Facing obstacles in passing the bill, Trump has called for Republicans to attach it to funding for the Department of Homeland Security, causing disruptions nationwide. Democrats had previously delayed funding for the department, seeking reforms for ICE agents, including banning them from covering their faces and mandating body cameras while on duty.
As tensions mount, Trump urged the Senate to remain in Washington DC during the Easter break to ensure the bill’s passage, invoking religious sentiments by suggesting they do it “for Jesus.” He emphasized the link between homeland security and voter identification, stressing the importance of photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting.
ICE agents have been deployed to US airports to address delays affecting travel hubs. While federal officers typically operate at international airports, their increased presence at TSA security checkpoints has raised concerns. Union leaders representing aviation workers have highlighted differences in training between TSA personnel and ICE officers, potentially unsettling travelers.
At Atlanta’s airport, ICE officers, visibly armed, have been monitoring security checkpoints. The extent of ICE’s role beyond surveillance remains uncertain, with Trump suggesting their involvement in tasks like guarding exit lanes or verifying passenger IDs at select large airports with extended wait times.
Despite efforts to streamline airport security, extended wait times and limited checkpoint operations persist at major hubs like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental. Travelers are advised to allocate extra time for screenings due to ongoing disruptions.
