Leavitt blasts 'irresponsible' Democrats over DHS shutdown: 'Acting against the American people'

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized congressional Democrats on Wednesday, February 18, blaming them for the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Speaking at a press briefing, Leavitt said Democrats have chosen to “act against the American people for political reasons,” resulting in a funding lapse that has left key federal employees working without pay.

Leavitt pointed to the impact on FEMA personnel, TSA officers, and members of the United States Coast Guard, who she said were continuing their duties without receiving paychecks.

She described the impasse as an attempt to “pick a fight with Donald Trump” and maintained that the president was engaging in good-faith efforts to reopen the department.

Democrats accused of irresponsible political obstruction

The administration characterized the stalemate as “irresponsible,” with Leavitt stating that White House officials have been actively negotiating to end the DHS funding lapse.

She said a counterproposal sent by Democrats on Wednesday night was viewed by the administration as “very unserious.”

Leavitt warned that the longer the shutdown continued, the greater the disruption to national security and emergency preparedness. 

She reiterated that the President wanted the government fully operational and urged Democrats to put forward what she described as a credible path to restore DHS funding.

Unprecedented local cooperation strengthens ICE operations

Turning to immigration enforcement, Leavitt relayed an update from White House border czar Tom Homan, calling developments in Minnesota a “huge win.”

She said nearly every county in the state had agreed to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement when undocumented immigrants with criminal records were released from local custody.

Leavitt described the level of coordination as “unprecedented” and credited the cooperation with enabling the detention of individuals she characterized as dangerous.

She also said federal presence in the region had led to a “much more calm situation on the ground,” with local and state law enforcement assisting in arrests, including individuals accused of unlawfully obstructing immigration enforcement operations.

Addressing left-wing bias in public schools

Leavitt also addressed recent student walkouts and demonstrations opposing ICE actions, attributing the protests to what she called “left-wing bias” in public schools.

While affirming support for peaceful protest under the First Amendment, she said that the administration would prefer students remain focused on their education.

She added that Education Secretary Linda McMahon was working to “root out” political bias by promoting greater local control and parental involvement in school governance.

According to Leavitt, the administration’s objective was to reduce political influence in classrooms and ensure parents and local communities have a stronger voice in shaping curriculum.