Topline
Senate Democrats and the White House reached a deal Thursday to avoid a partial government shutdown, agreeing to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security while the two sides negotiate over its long-term funding following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Key Facts
DHS will be funded for the next two weeks as Democrats seek restrictions on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and widespread use of federal agents in American communities.
“Hopefully, both Republicans and Democrats will give a very much needed Bipartisan ‘YES’ Vote,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday.
The Senate on Thursday morning initially rejected a bill to keep the government open, as Democrats pushed for reforms at the DHS before its funding for the next fiscal year could be secured.
The 45-55 vote involved seven Republicans voting with all Democrats against the legislation.
Democrats are specifically seeking legislation that would require federal agents to wear body cameras and bar them from wearing masks to conceal their identities.
Democrats are also aiming for legislation that would make federal agents adhere to use-of-force policies used by local police and create stricter warrant standards.
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Tangent
Border czar Tom Homan said Thursday the Trump administration hopes to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota, where protesters have clashed with Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel for weeks. Homan noted the removal of agents would be “dependent on cooperation” from local officials.
Key Background
The catalyst for Democrats’ holdout on the funding bill was rooted in an ICE agent’s fatal shooting of Good and a Border Patrol agent’s fatal shooting of Pretti, with the latter shooting flipping some Democrats who had been supportive of an earlier plan to keep the government open. The Trump administration labeled both people as domestic terrorists despite video evidence and witness testimony indicating they had no intention of targeting civilians or government. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose ouster has been called for by two Republicans, announced the deployment of more ICE personnel in Minnesota following Good’s death. However, following increased backlash over the shooting of Pretti, the Trump administration has appeared to soften its approach. President Donald Trump acknowledged last week ICE has made “some mistakes” in conducting immigration operations and responding to protests. Homan said Thursday if ICE and Border Patrol officers do not perform their duties with professionalism, “they’ll be dealt with,” acknowledging protesters’ First Amendment rights.
Further Reading
ICE Will Scale Back Agents In Minnesota, Trump’s Border Czar Says (Forbes)
Republican Criticism Of Pretti Shooting Grows: 2 GOP Senators Say Noem Should Lose Job (Forbes)
