Jeffries targets ‘Trump Republican shutdown’ while urging dramatic ICE changes

WASHINGTON, DC: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) intensified his criticism of the ongoing partial government shutdown during a press conference on Wednesday, February 18, describing it as a “Trump Republican shutdown” of the Department of Homeland Security.

Jeffries said the funding lapse has now entered day five, disrupting operations at agencies including the Coast Guard, FEMA and the TSA.

Jeffries accused Donald Trump of showing little urgency in resolving the standoff, pointing to the President’s weekend golf outing with Ron DeSantis as negotiations remain stalled. “We have no idea where they're at in the midst of a crisis of their own making,” Jeffries said, arguing that Republicans have chosen to halt key emergency and security services instead of agreeing to immigration enforcement reforms.

Taxpayer dollars must not fund brutality

Jeffries argued that the ongoing shutdown is a result of Republicans' failure to bring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under control. He noted that public concern has grown following the tragic deaths of American citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

According to Jeffries, taxpayer dollars should be allocated to alleviate economic pressures rather than being used to “brutalize or kill American citizens in cold blood.”

He called for what he termed “dramatic, bold, meaningful, and transformational” reforms of ICE, claiming that the agency is unfairly targeting law-abiding families in ways that are neither just nor humane.

Jeffries pointed out that while core functions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remain closed, ICE continues to operate without the oversight measures that Democrats have proposed.

Standing firm on the House floor

Despite the current impasse, Jeffries confirmed that he will attend Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address. He framed this decision as a matter of institutional responsibility, explaining that the President delivers the address in the House chamber as a guest of Congress. “We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house; he’s coming to our house,” Jeffries said, emphasizing that he does not believe in allowing anyone to “run you off of your block.”

Jeffries also spoke about tensions within the House and directed criticism at Speaker Mike Johnson regarding the behavior of certain Republican members. He specifically mentioned Representative Randy Fine and urged the Speaker to uphold standards of decorum. “Get your members under control,” he warned, adding, “because if you don't, we will.”

Transparency sought in Maryland redistricting

Jeffries addressed the Democratic redistricting efforts in Maryland, emphasizing the need for a clear legislative process. He proposed that an “up-or-down vote” in the Maryland State Senate would be the most suitable way to resolve the issue. According to him, such a vote would allow the matter to proceed transparently. 

Jeffries connected his call for clarity in Maryland to his broader criticism of the federal shutdown, reiterating his demand that Republicans provide a concrete and humane solution for both Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and immigration enforcement.