In recent months, Democrats have ramped up efforts to critique U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with some state leaders labeling the agency in extreme terms. For instance, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has referred to ICE agents as “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.” This rhetoric is part of a wider campaign that has sparked serious confrontations, including the tragic deaths of Renee Goode and Alex Preti in separate incidents.
Now, some Democratic lawmakers are exploring the possibility of defunding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seizing on the chaos to push their agenda. Senator Chuck Schumer voiced his concerns, saying, “What is happening in Minnesota is horrific and cannot be tolerated anywhere in America.” He criticized Republicans for not standing against President Trump, which has led to a spending bill that fails to address issues of ICE misconduct, prompting him to declare, “I will vote no.”
Alongside Schumer, Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed her opposition to the proposed funding for ICE, joining a broader trend among Democrats who are taking a stand against specific funding initiatives.
In Arizona, Senator Mark Kelly made a commitment to prevent federal law enforcement from being deployed in cities, starting with his vote against the DHS budget. Similarly, Ruben Gallego, another Arizona Senator, bluntly stated, “I don’t vote for murder funds in the name of law enforcement.” New Jersey Senator Andy Kim echoed this sentiment about funding violence, criticizing the president’s misuse of power.
Additionally, Senator Chris Murphy urged the Senate not to condone continued funding for what he termed “outrage,” emphasizing that they have the power to make a change.
Meanwhile, the House has passed a minibus spending package, which includes funding allocations for several departments, while a separate bill aimed at the DHS proposes an overall budget of $64.4 billion, with $10 billion earmarked for ICE. This funding framework is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.
As funding decisions sit on the edge, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the DHS package will not exist in isolation from other legislation.
It’s worth noting that a Senate vote was meant to take place on a Monday night, but was pushed to Tuesday due to anticipated severe weather across various states. In order to successfully pass a spending bill, Republicans would need 60 votes within the 53-member Senate—a challenging task as there’s a likelihood of another government shutdown looming by the end of January.
Days prior to Preti’s death at the hands of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, President Trump expressed concerns over a potential Democratic shutdown, suggesting another round of strife was possible.
The last government shutdown was notably long, lasting 43 days from October to November 2025.
