DHS Shutdown Squeezes Secret Service, TSA and FEMA

Republican lawmakers accuse Democrats of 'undermining' national security and emergency preparedness

Feb. 24, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The partial government shutdown has left the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unfunded for more than a week, affecting the Secret Service, Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and several other DHS components. Republican lawmakers are accusing their Democratic counterparts of 'undermining' national security and emergency preparedness, while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warns that 'shutdowns have real world consequences' for DHS personnel and national security.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown comes as preparations are underway for President Trump's State of the Union address and the northeast reels from a blizzard, raising concerns about the impact on critical security and emergency response functions. There are also questions about whether the shutdown could affect the Secret Service's ability to protect the president.

The details

The lapse in federal funding is affecting DHS components like the Secret Service, TSA, and FEMA, while the agencies handling Trump's immigration crackdown - ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - remain funded. Republican lawmakers argue that Democrats are 'undermining' national security by refusing to fund DHS, while Democrats want ICE reforms in order to reopen the department. The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president, is currently not missing paychecks thanks to the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', but other DHS functions like the Office of National Continuity Programs are 'significantly constrained' by the shutdown.

  • The DHS funding lapsed on Feb. 14 after Congress failed to come to an agreement on a long-term spending bill.
  • TSA airport security screeners won't miss their first paychecks until mid-March.
  • More than 41,000 active duty and activated Reserve Coast Guard members face the possibility of missing their next scheduled payday on February 27.

The players

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Chuck Schumer

A Democratic senator from New York who wants ICE reforms in order to reopen DHS.

Don Bacon

A Republican congressman from Nebraska who argues that Democrats' decision to put '670K federal workers on furlough right now' as they fight with Republicans over Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) policies will backfire on the party.

Brian Mast

A Republican congressman from Florida who expressed concern that members of Trump's protective Secret Service detail are not getting paid amid the shutdown.

Madhu Gottumukkala

The acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a DHS component that protects US critical infrastructure.

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What they’re saying

“Frontline DHS personnel deserve the stability of a full-year funding bill. Instead, Democrats are undermining our nation's transportation security and emergency preparedness for the second time in six months.”

— House Homeland Security Committee

“Holding innocent folks hostage is bad policy & bad politics.”

— Don Bacon, Republican Congressman

“Shutdowns have real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.”

— Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary

“When the government shuts down, our adversaries do not.”

— Madhu Gottumukkala, Acting Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.