The Republican Party is experiencing rising tensions as Tennessee’s Rep. John Rose (R-TN) publicly urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to resign from his leadership position. This call comes after a contentious agreement to address the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
“We should call on Thune to step aside,” Rose stated, reflecting growing frustrations among conservative lawmakers about the direction of Republican leadership. Thune has held the position of Senate Majority Leader since January 2025.
This conflict follows a Senate vote to end a 42-day impasse, reopening essential DHS services that had impacted airport security and left many federal employees unpaid. While the funding package reinstated operations for agencies like TSA and FEMA, it notably lacked new financial support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, critical concerns for Republican voters.
JUST IN: 🚨🚨 We now have a sitting member of Congress officially calling on Majority Leader John Thune to be removed from power.
“We should call on Thune to step aside,” @RepJohnRose tells Todd Starnes.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) March 27, 2026
Rose criticized the deal, alleging that Senate Republicans capitulated to Democratic demands, resulting in a political win for them while avoiding essential battles over immigration enforcement.
“And just like that, while Americans were asleep, Senate Republicans were wide awake tossing the radical Democrats a political lifeline,” he remarked, emphasizing the lack of progress on the SAVE America Act and the funding for ICE as lawmakers left for recess.
Moreover, the Tennessee Republican contended that this agreement allows his colleagues to bypass tough votes on contentious issues like border enforcement, which are pivotal as the elections approach.
Responding to the backlash, Thune defended the compromise, placing the blame on Democrats for prolonging the shutdown and failing to negotiate fairly.
“After holding DHS and the American people hostage for over 40 days, Dems got zero restrictions that would prevent ICE and CBP agents from doing their jobs safely,” Thune asserted, indicating a future intention to increase funding through budget reconciliation.
Conversely, Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), celebrated the outcome as a victory against the aggressive immigration policies that characterized the Trump era.
Amidst the shutdown, visible disruptions occurred at airports, particularly during the high-traffic spring break season. Staffing shortages at TSA reached alarming levels, with some locations reporting 40 percent absenteeism. Over 480 TSA officers left their jobs during this period, raising significant national security concerns.
In response to growing pressure, former President Trump announced a national emergency to ensure TSA workers received their pay during the turmoil. Although this plan raised various legal and logistical issues, it intensified negotiations that ultimately led to the Senate’s agreement.
Despite reaching a deal, many conservatives remain unsatisfied, arguing that it favors visible government functions while neglecting crucial immigration enforcement measures.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has already criticized the strategy as “shameful.” As Congress goes into a two-week recess, the fight over immigration funding remains ongoing. Republicans may seek to secure ICE funding through reconciliation, possibly linking it to broader initiatives like the SAVE America Act.
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