Written by James Whitaker.
During a White House meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Tuesday, President Donald Trump made it clear that his administration is serious about taking control of Gaza. Speaking in the Oval Office with reporters present, Trump was direct: “We’re going to take it, we’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it.”
His plan involves seizing Gaza and relocating Palestinian residents to surrounding countries. This proposal has sparked widespread backlash, particularly in Jordan—a key U.S. ally—where over 2 million Palestinian refugees already reside. Many in Jordan see this as a destabilizing move that could inflame tensions in the region. Despite the outcry, Trump remains undeterred.
Later in the day, he is set to sign more executive orders, continuing his push on multiple fronts.
Immigration Funding Sparks Urgent Pleas for Cash
While Trump’s Gaza plan made headlines, another major issue took center stage in Washington—funding for immigration enforcement. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) relayed an urgent message from top Trump officials: they need more money, and they need it now.
At a closed-door lunch with Senate Republicans, Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, and Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, delivered a stark warning. According to Graham, Homan was practically begging for more funding, while Vought made it clear that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is running out of resources.
Graham is pressing ahead with an immigration and defense funding bill in the Senate. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) wants to merge these measures with tax cuts, aligning with Trump’s vision of one sweeping legislative package.
Jordan Faces the Fallout of Trump’s Proposal
Jordan has long been a critical U.S. ally in the Middle East, but Trump’s Gaza strategy puts that relationship in jeopardy. The country already shoulders a massive Palestinian refugee population. If Trump’s plan moves forward, Jordan could be forced to take in even more displaced Palestinians—something that the Jordanian government and its citizens strongly oppose.
King Abdullah II, who has voiced concerns about Trump’s policies in the past, finds himself in a difficult position. His country depends on U.S. aid and military support, yet he must also answer to his people, many of whom see this as an existential threat. The question remains: Will the U.S. push forward despite Jordan’s objections, or will Trump modify his approach to maintain regional stability?
Our Take
Trump’s plan for Gaza is yet another example of top-down policymaking with little regard for long-term consequences. While he frames it as a bold move for stability, the reality is far messier. Jordan is already overburdened with refugees, and this proposal could push the country—and the entire region—closer to chaos. At the same time, the administration’s desperate plea for immigration funding highlights a broader issue: policies are being made without securing the necessary resources first.
Conservatives value strong leadership and decisive action, but it must be grounded in strategic thinking. Simply seizing Gaza and expecting neighboring countries to absorb the fallout is reckless. America’s foreign policy should prioritize stability and security, not short-term political wins.
