Democrats Jeopardizing National Security with DHS Shutdown

Senator Marsha Blackburn argues Democrats are playing politics with public safety by blocking funding for critical homeland security agencies.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:24pm

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U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn criticizes Democrats for shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, arguing it is jeopardizing national security at a time of heightened threats from Iran and other terrorist groups. Blackburn claims Democrats are more concerned with defending illegal immigrants than protecting American citizens, and calls on them to end the shutdown and fully fund DHS.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown has impacted key agencies responsible for border security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and disaster response at a time when the U.S. is facing elevated threats, including from Iran and suspected terrorist infiltrators crossing the southern border. This partisan standoff over immigration policy could have serious consequences for public safety.

The details

The DHS shutdown, now in its 24th day, has blocked funding for agencies like the Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA, and Secret Service, hampering their ability to carry out critical homeland security functions. Meanwhile, Democrats are demanding 'reasonable' restrictions on ICE enforcement as a condition for reopening DHS, which Blackburn argues would undermine law enforcement and embolden criminal illegal aliens. The senator also claims the Biden administration has allowed at least 18,000 known or suspected terrorists to enter the U.S., with nearly 2 million 'gotaways' crossing the border undetected.

  • The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026 and is now in its 24th day.
  • In January 2026, DHS deported three former members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
  • Late last month, a federal trial started against a Pakistani national allegedly recruited by the IRGC to kill a U.S. politician ahead of the 2024 election.

The players

Sen. Marsha Blackburn

A U.S. Senator representing Tennessee who is criticizing Democrats for the DHS shutdown.

Joe Biden

The current President of the United States, whom Blackburn claims has allowed at least 18,000 known or suspected terrorists to enter the country.

Joe Kent

The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who testified before Congress in December that these individuals represent 'the top terrorist threat that we face right now.'

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What they’re saying

“For the sake of our nation and the American people, Democrats must reverse course and work with Republicans to ensure that DHS is fully funded, staffed and operational.”

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn

“While Democrats make the shutdown about ICE, border enforcement currently remains funded thanks to Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts, or One Big Beautiful Bill, which President Trump signed into law on Independence Day.”

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn

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 partisan standoff over immigration policy during a heightened threat environment could have serious consequences for national security and public safety if Democrats do not work with Republicans to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security.