Democrats Threaten Shutdown Over Minnesota ICE Deadly Shootings/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democratic senators have pledged to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security following the fatal ICE shooting of a Minneapolis man, intensifying the risk of a partial government shutdown. With six federal funding bills still pending, Democrats are demanding major policy changes and accountability. Republican leaders, caught between political pressure and deadlines, now face significant hurdles to avoid disruption.
DHS Funding Fight and Shutdown Threat – Quick Looks
- Democrats vow to block DHS funding, citing abuse after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis
- Minnesota’s Alex Pretti, a legal gun owner and ICU nurse, was killed during a federal operation
- Schumer, Murray, and other top Democrats say ICE and DHS lack accountability
- Senate funding negotiations unravel, increasing risk of a partial shutdown by Friday
- Republicans seek Democratic support, but many oppose current DHS provisions
- Sen. Patty Murray reverses position, calls DHS bill unacceptable
- Democrats propose ICE reforms, including warrant requirements, ID rules, and agent restrictions
- GOP divided, with some demanding a full investigation while others defend DHS
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faces impeachment calls from over 100 House Democrats
- Five other spending bills may pass, but DHS funding could stall the entire package
Deep Look
DHS Funding at Risk as Democrats Rebel Over Minneapolis Shootings, Government Shutdown Looms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats in Congress are threatening to block the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) funding in response to the controversial fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a legal gun owner and ICU nurse killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. The move sets up a dramatic standoff with Republicans and escalates the risk of a partial government shutdown as funding deadlines loom.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), posting shortly after the Saturday shooting, declared the situation in Minnesota “appalling” and vowed that Democrats “will not provide the votes” for any DHS appropriations bill in its current form.
“Democrats sought common sense reforms,” Schumer wrote, “but because Republicans refuse to stand up to Trump, the bill is woefully inadequate to rein in ICE abuses.”
Shutdown Deadline Approaching
So far, six of the twelve annual federal spending bills have been signed by President Donald Trump. The remaining six — including the DHS budget — must pass before midnight Friday to avoid a lapse in funding.
Democrats and Republicans remain divided, particularly after the second fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis in less than a month. The latest incident, involving Pretti, has triggered calls for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s impeachment, with more than 100 House Democrats backing the effort.
“Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands.”
Broken Deal and Crumbling Support
Until the shooting, Murray had been urging colleagues to support the DHS funding bill, citing concessions that avoided significant increases to ICE’s budget. But by Sunday, her tone had shifted entirely.
Democrats convened emergency calls in both chambers, with leaders including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and State Attorney General Keith Ellison addressing House Democrats directly. Their message was clear: the current DHS funding bill is unacceptable without substantial reform.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who chairs the subcommittee overseeing homeland security funding, told CNN:
“Congress cannot fund a department that is murdering American citizens.”
GOP Response and Divided Messaging
While the White House and DHS defended the actions of agents involved in the Pretti and Renee Good shootings, cracks began to show in Republican ranks.
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.): Called the videos “disturbing” and demanded a joint federal-state investigation
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.): Warned against “rushing to judgment” and emphasized transparency
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska): Urged caution and restraint
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): Criticized Democrats for threatening to “defund border protection”
“Now is not the time to defund one of our major national security priorities,” Graham posted on X.
Shutdown Would Hit DHS First
If no agreement is reached, the funding lapse would directly impact:
- ICE and Border Patrol operations
- Airport and border security staffing
- Cybersecurity and FEMA services under DHS authority
Other departments, including Justice, Commerce, Interior, EPA, NASA, and USDA, have already secured full-year funding through bipartisan deals. Essential programs like food assistance and military operations would continue without interruption.
Proposed Democratic Reforms to DHS
Democrats are pushing for these policy changes before approving any further DHS funds:
- Warrant requirements for immigration arrests
- Mandatory officer identification and body cameras
- Prohibition on using Border Patrol for domestic raids
- Expanded oversight and accountability measures
- Increased training on de-escalation and civil rights
Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.): “Not voting to fund ICE is a great place for us to start.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): “We demand a full, transparent investigation.”
Next Steps: Political Gridlock
The Senate is expected to resume session Tuesday, after weather delays. The House is not scheduled to return this week. If the DHS bill is altered in the Senate, the entire six-bill funding package must be re-passed in the House — an unlikely scenario under current conditions.
Still, Schumer insists that separating the DHS bill from the rest is the “best course of action” and urged Republicans to work together to avoid unnecessary disruption.
“The American people are on our side,” Schumer said. “They want justice, not impunity.”
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