White House mocks Dems over 'performative' DHS shutdown with sombrero-wearing Oscar

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has mocked Democrats by giving them a fake Academy Award for their role in the current government shutdown. The post claims the party is putting on "political theater" instead of helping the American people by funding the Department of Homeland Security.

This conflict has left many TSA workers without pay, leading to long lines and staffing shortages at airports across the country.

White House mocks Democrats over DHS shutdown

The White House on Monday, March 16, mocked the Democratic Party in a post on X, writing, "And the Academy Award goes to... the Democrats. For yet ANOTHER PERFORMATIVE SHUTDOWN, putting political theater over the American people. Fund @DHSgov!"

The message included a picture of an Oscar statue wearing a sombrero.

This jab comes as the government faces its second shutdown of President Trump’s second term, which began in February after leaders failed to agree on a budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

TSA workers unpaid as shutdown disrupts airports

The shutdown is causing serious problems at airports, as TSA workers have just completed their first weekend without a full paycheck. Even though President Trump has told employees to "go to work," many are finding it difficult to stay.

Reports show that more than 300 officers have quit since the shutdown began on February 14. In some places, like Houston’s Hobby Airport, nearly half of the security staff has been absent, making lines much longer for travelers. 

Karoline Leavitt slams Democrats over DHS shutdown

Earlier, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also criticized the situation on social media.

She shared a news headline about TSA officers quitting and said that Democrats are “proudly” causing pain to American workers.

In her post, she wrote, "The Democrats are proudly inflicting this pain on the American people and TSA officers by keeping the Department of Homeland Security shut down. It’s a complete disgrace."

She added that Trump "wants the Department of Homeland Security to be fully funded and fully reopened" and urged citizens to call their representatives to demand action.

Policy clash over ICE, CBP sparks shutdown

The main reason for the standoff is a dispute over how immigration agencies like ICE and CBP should operate.

Democrats say they are willing to fund most of DHS, but they want strict new rules for immigration enforcement. This follows the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal agents in Minnesota.

While the White House calls this a “Democrats’ Reckless DHS Shutdown,” the other side insists they will not provide funding until reforms are made to prevent further violence.