Trump Hosts Cabinet Meeting as Democrats Threaten Government Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump held a Cabinet meeting as Senate Democrats blocked a key funding bill, risking a partial government shutdown over immigration enforcement demands. Trump claimed he asked Putin to pause strikes on Kyiv during extreme cold and announced plans to reopen U.S. air travel to Venezuela. Tensions rose around DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi amid deadly ICE operations and an FBI raid tied to 2020 election conspiracies.
Quick Look:
- Shutdown Looms: Senate Democrats blocked a funding bill over immigration tactics, threatening a partial government shutdown.
- Trump’s Moves: Trump says he asked Putin to halt Kyiv strikes during a cold snap and plans to reopen U.S. air travel to Venezuela.
- Cabinet Tensions: Homeland Security and Justice chiefs stayed silent amid backlash over ICE killings and an FBI raid in Georgia.
Trump Hosts Cabinet Meeting as Democrats Threaten Government Shutdown
Deep Look: Cabinet Meeting Begins with a Show of Strength, But No Questions
President Donald Trump convened a televised Cabinet meeting Thursday amid mounting tensions in Washington over immigration enforcement, looming budget deadlines, and political fallout from recent federal actions.
Notably, neither Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem nor Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke during the session—an omission widely seen as avoiding commentary on recent deadly incidents involving federal agents in Minnesota or the FBI’s high-profile search of a Georgia election office.
Top Cabinet Members Stay Silent
Though many officials were present—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum—they were not called to speak. Trump praised both men during the session but kept the spotlight on others.
Absent from the conversation were also Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and OMB Director Russell Vought.
Defense Secretary Hegseth Issues Sharp Warning to Iran
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made headlines by warning Iran against continuing its nuclear ambitions. Citing the recent U.S. raid to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Hegseth said:
“They should not pursue nuclear capabilities. And we will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department.”
Noem and Bondi Stay Quiet Amid Scandals
Noem and Bondi’s silence during the Cabinet meeting was notable. Both are at the center of recent controversies: Noem for the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents, and Bondi for her department’s role in the FBI’s search of a Georgia election office steeped in election conspiracy theories.
Trump Declines to Take Questions
In a break from tradition, Trump took no questions from the press. After short remarks from Vice President JD Vance, the meeting was abruptly ended by White House staff, who ushered reporters out despite shouted questions.
Cabinet Members Who Did Speak
The following officials gave updates:
- Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- HUD Secretary Scott Turner
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
Misleading Picture on Housing Market
HUD Secretary Scott Turner claimed December home sales had “risen sharply,” but data showed only a 1.4% year-over-year increase. Pending sales were actually down 3%, raising concerns that the administration is overstating housing market improvements.
Washington Faith Leaders Condemn Immigration Raids
A coalition of Washington religious leaders condemned recent deadly enforcement operations:
“We affirm the sacred worth of every human life,” their statement read, denouncing the “indiscriminate and lethal force” used in recent ICE operations.
The signatories included Cardinal Robert McElroy, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, and Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, among others.
Trump Jokes About RFK Jr.’s Popularity
Trump joked that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might outshine him politically in the midterms, a nod to Kennedy’s rising popularity and famous name.
TrumpRx Drug Program Coming Soon
Kennedy said the TrumpRx program—intended to lower drug prices through direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical sales—will launch “in the next 10 days.”
Senate Democrats Block DHS Funding Bill
In a 45-55 vote, Senate Democrats blocked legislation that included funding for the Department of Homeland Security, citing opposition to Trump’s immigration tactics. With funding set to expire Friday, the move risks a partial government shutdown.
Democrats demanded body cameras, identification for federal agents, and a pause on roving immigration patrols.
Trump Teases Fed Chair Replacement
Trump announced he’ll reveal his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell next week, citing dissatisfaction with current interest rate levels.
Trump Says Putin Agreed to Kyiv Pause
Trump claimed he personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Kyiv for one week due to severe winter conditions—and said Putin agreed. The Kremlin has not confirmed.
Meeting Opens With Familiar Rhetoric
Trump opened the meeting by reiterating past achievements and sharing stories. He invited envoy Steve Witkoff to speak on the Gaza hostage recovery.
Trump Denies Sleeping at Last Cabinet Meeting
Referring to a previous meeting where he appeared to doze off, Trump clarified: “I didn’t sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell out of there.”
Tulsi Gabbard’s Role in FBI Georgia Search Questioned
DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s involvement in the FBI’s Georgia election office raid raised questions. Her office stated she plays a central role in protecting election infrastructure. Critics, including Sen. Mark Warner, accused her of politicizing intelligence.
Trump Orders Venezuela Airspace Reopened
Trump announced that he’s reopening U.S. air travel to Venezuela and instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and military leaders to lift the ban by end of day.
American Airlines confirmed it will reinstate flights in the coming months.
Talks to Avert Shutdown Ongoing
Trump said negotiations with congressional Democrats are active, emphasizing he wants to avoid a shutdown. DHS funding remains the key sticking point.
GOP Pushes New Voting Laws
House Republicans unveiled the “Make Elections Great Again Act,” proposing:
- Photo ID for voting
- Proof of citizenship
- Ban on universal vote-by-mail
- Auditable paper ballots
- Election Day deadlines for mail ballots
Critics say the legislation risks disenfranchising voters.
Senate Leaders Race to Prevent Shutdown
Senate GOP Leader John Thune expressed optimism for a deal, while Democrat Chuck Schumer insisted that immigration reforms must be included.
“Enough is enough,” Schumer said, condemning ICE’s current tactics.
Turmoil at Kennedy Center as Couch Resigns
Kevin Couch resigned as Kennedy Center’s head of artistic programming just two weeks into the job. His departure comes ahead of Melania Trump’s film premiere and amid mounting artist boycotts over Trump’s leadership at the venue.
Homan Promises Accountability—But Offers No Details
ICE chief Tom Homan said agents would be held accountable but did not address recent fatal shootings. He defended agents as “American patriots” and criticized what he called “hateful rhetoric” against them.
ICE Aims to Expand Cooperation in Minnesota
ICE chief Homan announced plans to increase cooperation with Minnesota’s state prisons for immigration detainers—despite local jails resisting collaboration without signed judicial warrants.
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