The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was poised to shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday due to an impasse between the White House and congressional Democrats over immigration enforcement reforms, marking the third funding lapse of the current Congress, according to Time. This standoff, the second in less than six months, centered on Democrats' demands for new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
The impending shutdown came as lawmakers left Washington for a scheduled recess, leaving no clear path to reopening DHS, as reported by Time. The situation highlighted the deep divisions within the government, with Democrats refusing to pass an annual DHS funding bill without changes to immigration enforcement policies.
One notable exception to the Democratic stance was Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who broke with his party and voted to advance a yearlong spending bill for DHS without the requested reforms, according to Time. Fetterman, a long-standing opponent of government shutdowns, warned that declining to fund DHS would impact agencies housed under the department, while having "zero impact" on ICE functionality.
President Donald Trump's administration faced other challenges, including a "war on scientific progress," as described by Vox. However, according to Vox, the administration's science policy was shaped by a coalition of players. Additionally, Vox reported that Trump's second term was marked by an extensive military campaign in Somalia, which he rarely discussed.
The political climate was further complicated by Trump's efforts to prosecute six Democrats, which Vox described as a failed attempt. The ongoing disputes and funding battles reflected a deeply divided political landscape, with no immediate resolution in sight for the DHS shutdown.
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