Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Newsmax on Tuesday that Democrats would rather stand with illegal aliens than keep Americans safe.
Barrasso appeared on "The Record With Greta Van Susteren" ahead of President Donald Trump's State of the Union.
The address is being held amid a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department.
Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations that are core to Trump's deportation campaign.
"Democrats would rather stand with illegal immigrant criminals than they would with the safety and the security of the American people," Barrasso said.
"That's who they are. That's what they've been doing," he continued.
"They would rather be with illegal immigrants than fund TSA [the Transportation Security Administration], than fund the individuals who keep us safe in the Coast Guard," Barrasso added.
"They don't want us to be able to replenish FEMA [the Federal Emergency Management Agency]," he said.
"The president has made a very reasonable offer to let's fund the Department of Homeland Security. It includes body cameras," Barrasso continued.
"The surge in Minnesota is over. There's accountability."
Barrasso said he wasn't sure how Democrats would respond to Trump's address.
"I'm very excited, as are many, to see that victorious American ice hockey team that are going to be here for the State of the Union. I'm sure they're going to be amazingly received by those in the audience," he said.
"We'll see what the Democrats do. The last State of the Union, the Democrats wouldn't even applaud people that you would think everybody should applaud for," Barrasso continued.
"I'm going to be giving them a standing ovation. They deserve it, as does the president for the leadership that he's shown over the last year."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.