Trump slams Chuck Schumer over DHS shutdown amid Iranian sleeper cell warning: 'Biggest problem'

DORAL, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump accused Chuck Schumer and other Democrats of putting national security at risk by extending the shutdown of the US Department of Homeland Security.

He made the comments as the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned about possible Iranian sleeper cells in the United States. Trump also claimed many of them entered the country under earlier open-border policies. Meanwhile, top Democrats continue to oppose funding for DHS after Trump fired its chief, Kristi Noem.

Trump criticizes Biden’s open-border policies

Donald Trump said US authorities have closely monitored potential threats for some time but argued that the government shutdown was making it harder for agencies to respond effectively.

“Where we've been, they have been trying for a long time. We've been very much on top of it,” Trump said, referring to concerns about possible sleeper cells.

Trump then accused Schumer and Democratic lawmakers of blocking key security operations by allowing parts of the government to remain shut down.

“One of the things we have to do is get the Democrats to stop. The Democrats shut down because, as you know, the apparatus that looks into that [sleeper cells], Schumer and the Democrats shut down,” he said.

Trump argued that the shutdown had limited the ability of authorities to fully investigate potential threats, even though intelligence agencies were still tracking individuals of concern.

“But we've got very, very good intelligence into that. We know a lot of different things that have happened that have been very bad,” he said. He also claimed that many of the individuals under scrutiny entered the United States during earlier immigration policies.

“A lot of them came in during the Biden open border period, but we're watching every single one of them. We know a lot about them,” Trump said. “The biggest problem we have is the Democrat shutdown. We know a lot about them, but the shutdown doesn't allow us to do what we have to do,” he concluded.

Democrats demand DHS reforms amid shutdown standoff

House and Senate Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer said they will continue refusing to vote for funding for the US Department of Homeland Security until lawmakers agree to change how it operates. Trump fired DHS chief Kristi Noem, but Democrats said that alone is not enough.

Jeffries said on Thursday, March 5, that Noem’s removal was only a first step and that lawmakers need to fix what he called a “lawless” DHS.

He said, "Kristi Noem’s removal is only the first step towards reforming the lawless Trump DHS. A change in personnel is not sufficient. House Democrats will continue to demand bold, meaningful and transformational changes until ICE, CBP and all DHS agencies and officers conduct themselves in a manner consistent with every law enforcement agency in the country.”

In a letter to congressional leaders, Jeffries and Schumer said DHS must stop letting agents wear masks and must require judicial warrants for enforcement actions.

They also said federal immigration agents should not continue causing chaos in cities while taxpayer money is spent on enforcement instead of helping working families.

The Democrats shared in a statement, "Federal immigration agents cannot continue to cause chaos in our cities while using taxpayer money that should be used to make life more affordable for working families. The American people rightfully expect their elected representatives to take action to reign in ICE and ensure no more lives are lost.”