Trump-backed GOP Senate candidate says DHS is 'not needed': report

The Department of Homeland Security is an unnecessary agency, Axios reports Republican Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy "has told supporters on at least three occasions."

NBC News reports, "Sheehy is running in one of the country’s most competitive U.S. Senate races while also running an aerial firefighting company that is heavily dependent on federal contracts," and according to his financial disclosure forms, "If elected, Sheehy would be one of the wealthiest members of Congress, with a net worth between $74 million and $200 million."

NBC also notes, "Montana is a major Senate battleground in 2024 that could help tip control of the chamber to Republicans."

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Noting that Sheehy "is cruising toward Montana’s Republican Senate nomination," TIME reported last week, "Pundits expected a bruising primary between him and Rep. Matt Rosendale. [Former President Donald] Trump had other ideas. He endorsed Sheehy on the day Rosendale launched his campaign. Days later, Rosendale dropped out."

However, Axios' report on the GOP candidates' thoughts on DHS come as House Republicans rejected the bipartisan border package approved by the US Senate last month after Trump denounced the bill.

Last month, after one unsuccessful vote, the House GOP successfully impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Axios reports:

Sheehy told supporters at an August luncheon in Kalispell, Montana, that the agency could go, arguing it is 'anything but homeland security.'

He made similar remarks at a meet-and-greet the same month in Glasgow, Montana, arguing DHS can 'go away.'

He said the same thing in September in Superior, Montana, saying DHS is 'not needed.'

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Although the House GOP is actively attempting to turn "away from federal agencies while also demanding stricter border enforcement," the news outlet notes Republican lawmakers "have been unclear in arguing which entity is best suited to deal with border security if funding to DHS was cut or the agency was eliminated."