Senator Slotkin Adjusts Stance on DHS Funding
On Friday, Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan, a Democrat, altered her position regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a recent attack on a synagogue in Metro Detroit.
The attack at the Temple of Israel in West Bloomfield has led DHS to identify the deceased suspect as Ayman Mohamed Ghazali, a Lebanese citizen who became a U.S. citizen in 2016. At a news conference on Thursday, Slotkin expressed support for keeping DHS funding intact, describing it as an “essential” agency.
“I think they’re essential workers, so they’re continuing to do their jobs,” Slotkin noted. “There are many DHS and CBP employees in Michigan who are answering calls and fulfilling their responsibilities. We definitely need to fund the Department of Homeland Security. In my view, we should keep it separate from other core missions because every exchange we have at ICE warrants its own discussion. Nonetheless, they’re essential and are still working today.”
The Senate has yet to come to an agreement on immigration reform, which includes Democratic requests for changes in immigration enforcement practices. A Republican staffer mentioned to a news outlet that Senate Republicans are unwilling to negotiate on policies affecting the mission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These ongoing demands have followed the tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Preti, who were killed by immigration enforcement officers during a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January. Slotkin remarked in a January 31 statement that she had voted against DHS funding due to these events.
Notably, Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to back a year-round DHS funding bill.
Ghazali allegedly drove his vehicle into the West Bloomfield synagogue, reportedly carrying several explosive devices in the trunk. This led to an exchange of gunfire with the building’s security personnel, resulting in the death of Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard at the scene. A statement indicated that the vehicle became engulfed in flames after an internal fire ignited.
Amid these events, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urged Democrats to end the ongoing shutdown, as it has led to extended lines at airports during the busy spring break travel season. This marks the third instance in nearly half a year that TSA employees have worked without compensation.
