The question of who truly leads the Republican Party—Donald Trump or John Thune (RINO-SD)—is becoming more pressing. Trump might call for “leadership,” but the SAVE America Act lingers in uncertainty. True leadership would involve overcoming the filibuster, yet Thune’s upcoming plan doesn’t even push for that. He seems to be avoiding a confrontation, and it’s questionable whether Democrats will even need to express their views publicly.
It’s concerning because if the Republicans can’t push through the SAVE Act amid this flagrant disregard for legality, then, well, nothing else holds significant meaning.
Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) faced the camera recently and, perhaps a bit too candidly, acknowledged that millions of non-citizens are involved. It seems Democrats prefer not to have ICE address this issue before the election.
To be clear, if Republicans struggle to pass the SAVE Act against such audacity and illegality, then topics like Iran or the economy won’t make a difference. The imminent threat of another impeachment looms large; Trump 2.0 could easily morph into Impeachment 2.0.
Discussions about Iran or strategies are worth having, but the SAVE Act taps into more profound divisions within the Republican base. There are still a handful of issues that resonate well not just with Republicans but even with general voters, like border security and election integrity.
The essence of the SAVE Act is simple: it demands proof of citizenship before participating in federal elections. That’s really all it is.
Scrolling through social media, you might think extremists dominate the right wing, or that the Iran situation is top of mind. But, to be honest, those opinions often don’t reflect real voter concerns. In my interactions supporting Iowa gubernatorial candidate Adam Steen, the recurring topic from voters has been about election integrity and voter fraud.
Trump has weathered tougher storms regarding foreign policy and the economy, and there’s potential for positive outcomes. However, should he fail to implement the SAVE Act—to let someone like Thune undermine his foundational promise of governance—it could spell the end.
The ruling party faced backlash during the midterms, evidenced by dismal voter turnout; that’s a painful reminder. If Republicans cannot win despite years of intense discussions and debates, people might just decide, “Why bother?” and civic responsibility could lose its appeal altogether.
It’s frustrating to see vast resources flow abroad without accountability. Imagine South Dakota serving as an example of futility, simply because its senators fail to address the core issue: protecting the vote.
Even with a legislature that is over 90% Republican, Thune seems ready to turn the “stolen election” narrative into the party’s downfall, potentially stifling Trump’s second term while seeking to assume McConnell’s mantle.
We’ve seen some absurdities, like the Kristi Noem incident in South Dakota, where she faced scrutiny for a botched hunting mishap. Yet, Thune’s missteps could truly jeopardize MAGA’s future.
Perception shapes reality, and if the government is comfortable with limits on mass deportations, it raises questions about their ability to protect elections from potential non-citizen influences.
Passing the SAVE Act is crucial to force Democrats into a corner and establish rules firmly. If we fail now, 2026 could be disastrous.
