White House Blames Democrats Amid DHS Funding Fight

White House Calls Democrats’ Counteroffer on DHS Funding ‘Very Unserious’

The White House on Feb. 18 dismissed a Democratic counterproposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as “very unserious,” as the partial shutdown of the agency entered its fifth day. During a news briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Democrats sent a revised offer to the Trump administration the previous night but that it was rejected. “Last night, they sent over a counterproposal that, frankly, was ver…

Democrats, White House still far from DHS funding deal amid standoff over ICE

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on February 18, 2026, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (WASHINGTON) — The standoff between Democrats and the White House over Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement continued on Wednesday, with both sides digging in as the partial government shutdown hit its fifth day. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called t…

White House blames Democrats amid DHS funding fight

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday blamed Democrats as the funding fight over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Capitol Hill remains at a standstill. “The White House and the president’s representatives have been in direct conversations with both Democrats and Republicans,” Leavitt told reporters. “But of course, Democrats are the reason…

Democratic counterproposal on DHS funding 'very unserious,' Leavitt says

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said White House officials, but not President Donald Trump, have been in contact with Democratic leaders over the impasse, blaming Democrats for forcing some federal employees to work without paychecks.