Trump Asks Schumer to ‘Immediately Apologize’ to ‘Great Patriots’ of ICE, CBP/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump demanded that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately apologize after Schumer said “nobody respects Border Patrol or ICE.” The remarks came during a heated Senate battle over funding for ICE and Border Patrol as Republicans push a major budget reconciliation package. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and other GOP leaders also sharply criticized Schumer while DHS faces a growing funding crisis.
Trump Schumer ICE Clash Quick Looks
- Trump demanded Chuck Schumer apologize to ICE and Border Patrol agents
- Schumer said on the Senate floor that “nobody respects Border Patrol or ICE”
- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin strongly attacked Schumer over the comment
- Senate Republicans passed a budget blueprint for ICE and Border Patrol funding
- DHS says it is nearing a financial breaking point after 69 days of shutdown conditions
- Republicans are pushing a $70 billion to $80 billion border funding package
- House Republicans are divided on how broad the final funding bill should be
Deep Look
Trump Demands Immediate Apology From Schumer
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is demanding that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately apologize after the New York Democrat made controversial remarks about Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Schumer said on the Senate floor that “nobody respects Border Patrol or ICE,” a comment that quickly triggered fierce backlash from Trump and top Republican leaders.
Trump responded Thursday morning on Truth Social with a direct and angry message.
“Wow! Cryin’ Chuck Schumer just said, for the whole World to hear, that ‘NOBODY RESPECTS BORDER PATROL OR ICE,’” Trump wrote.
“That is one of the most egregious, incorrect, unpatriotic, and dangerous statements I have EVER heard from a ‘professional’ politician.”
“HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APOLOGIZE TO THESE GREAT PATRIOTS, AND I MEAN NOW!”
The political clash erupted during one of the most intense immigration funding battles of Trump’s second term.
DHS Secretary Mullin Fires Back
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also launched a strong attack against Schumer, calling the comments insulting and dishonest.
Speaking on Fox News, Mullin said Schumer’s words angered him deeply.
“It makes my ears red,” Mullin said.
“It takes a lot to get me upset, but, Chuck Schumer, no one respects you: The definition of a lying scumbag politician. That is you.”
“You would be the definition if you Googled you right now. I mean, why don’t you just come out and be honest with the American people? He wants to have open borders.”
Mullin said Schumer’s comments were especially offensive to the federal officers “out there protecting you.”
The administration is using the controversy to strengthen its argument that Democrats are undermining border enforcement while Republicans are trying to secure more funding for immigration agencies.
DHS Nears Financial Breaking Point
The political fight comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces serious financial pressure after nearly 70 days of shutdown conditions.
According to Mullin, DHS is spending about $1.7 billion every two weeks just to cover payroll for roughly 270,000 employees.
He warned that the department can only guarantee pay through the first payroll cycle in May.
“We’re at critical mass,” Mullin said.
He accused Democrats of holding Homeland Security “hostage” because of opposition to funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
“The American people overwhelmingly supports deportation, deporting these illegal immigrants and enforcing our nation laws and closing our border,” Mullin said.
“There’s not even the polling is like an 80% issue with the American people.”
The administration says Congress must act quickly to prevent deeper operational disruptions.
Senate Republicans Advance ICE Funding Plan
Early Thursday morning, Senate Republicans passed a budget reconciliation resolution that begins the process of securing long-term funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
The vote passed 50-48 after an overnight session and allows Republicans to move forward without needing Democratic support.
The package is expected to provide between $70 billion and $80 billion to fund the agencies through 2029.
Republicans are using reconciliation to avoid the Senate filibuster and bypass Democratic demands for stricter immigration enforcement reforms.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended the move.
“We have a multistep process ahead of us but at the end Republicans will have helped ensure that America’s borders are secure and prevented Democrats from defunding these important agencies,” Thune said.
A separate Republican amendment from Senator Lindsey Graham passed 98-0 to create a deficit-neutral fund supporting ICE operations involving the detention and deportation of convicted criminals who entered the U.S. illegally.
Democrats Push Back During Senate Fight
Schumer and Senate Democrats used the debate to force politically charged amendment votes and argue Republicans were focusing too heavily on immigration enforcement instead of economic relief.
“This reconciliation, or this budget act, will show who’s on whose side, and clearly if Republicans vote against our amendments, they’re not on the side of the American people,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
Democrats pushed amendments tied to healthcare costs and other domestic issues, but Republicans kept the legislation tightly focused on ICE and Border Patrol funding.
Several Republican amendments related to proof-of-citizenship voting requirements and other election reforms were also rejected.
The debate highlighted how immigration remains one of the sharpest dividing lines in Washington.
House Republicans Split on Next Step
While the Senate moved forward, House Republicans remain divided over how to handle the funding package.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said time is running out and the House may need to move quickly instead of waiting for a larger reconciliation package.
“I talked with Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the urgency of the timing of the matter: He will run out of money, literally at the end of the month,” Johnson said.
“The last paychecks pay cycle goes out into this month, so we don’t have time to go through a laborious reconciliation process.”
Other House Republicans want a broader bill.
Representative Chip Roy argued that focusing only on ICE and Border Patrol is too narrow.
“We don’t like isolating ICE and Border Patrol,” Roy said. “This is not the way to do business.”
Representative Carlos Gimenez said Republicans may use a two-track strategy by passing regular DHS funding separately while using reconciliation for ICE and Customs and Border Protection.
Political Stakes Keep Rising
The fight over ICE and Border Patrol funding has become a central political battle heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
For Trump and Republicans, defending immigration enforcement agencies is both a policy priority and a campaign message.
For Democrats, the issue remains tied to accountability, immigration reform, and broader concerns about federal enforcement powers.
Trump’s demand for a Schumer apology adds even more political intensity to an already volatile debate.
As Congress races to avoid deeper Homeland Security funding problems, the clash over border security is only becoming more personal — and more central to Washington’s power struggle.
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