Lindsey Graham seen holding a pink bubble wand at Disney World amid DHS shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham was spotted at Walt Disney World in Florida during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Thousands of federal workers have not been paid, and disruptions continue at US airports.

Photos published by TMZ showed Graham at Disney World, including at a character dining spot, during a congressional break. The images surfaced as the shutdown extended into multiple weeks, impacting Transportation Security Administration workers and causing delays at major travel hubs.

Lindsey Graham defends Disney trip amid DHS shutdown backlash

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is among the lawmakers facing criticism for taking a personal trip during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

TMZ published photos of Graham walking around Disney World with a bubble wand toy, dining at Chef Mickey’s, and waiting in line for Space Mountain.

The South Carolina senator appeared to be wearing business attire while holding a pink bubble wand toy as he walked through the “Tangled” area of Magic Kingdom, the tabloid outlet reported.

The South Carolina senator defended his trip to Disney World, telling TMZ he met some friends at the theme park after “meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff and others to talk about the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.”

“I voted seven times to fully fund the government. Call a Democrat,” Graham told the news outlet, adding that he had returned to his home state. The Republican senator remained in South Carolina and has several events planned across the state this week. 

Social media backlash erupts over Graham Disney trip

Some people expressed anger after seeing photos of Graham at the theme park. Critics say lawmakers are on a two-week break despite failing to pass funding for DHS and its agencies.

Because airport security falls under DHS, the shutdown has caused long lines at airports, adding to public frustration.

“While our country is at war, our airports are a mess, DHS is not funded, and our elections are not secure, Lindsey Graham is wandering around Disney World with a bubble wand. This is an image that should live in infamy,” Matt Walsh wrote on X.

“Israel First, Disney World second…,” the Tucker Carlson Network wrote on X.

“The Government is shut down, and the SAVE act isn’t passed, while Peter Pan Lady Graham plays at Disney but even more insulting is American Soldiers are dying in a war he is the face of while he does whatever the hell this is,” Paul Dans wrote.

For more than a month, TSA officers, FEMA employees, Coast Guard members, and other federal workers have been required to report to work without pay.

Although President Donald Trump signed an executive order paying TSA workers amid record-long airport security wait times, other employees remain unpaid.

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