Senate Dems Block Bill to Pay DHS Workers Including Coast Guard, Secret Service
Senate Democrats blocked a bill intended to fund agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, which means a partial shutdown will continue throughout this week as both parties remain entrenched in their positions. The Senate voted 50 to 45 against invoking cloture on the motion to move forward with a full-year DHS spending bill, which required 60 votes to advance.
Personnel with TSA, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and FEMA are affected by the shutdown, which is the second one attributed to Democrats since September.
In January, appropriators reached a deal on a funding bill, which passed the House with support from six moderate Democrats. However, the shooting of Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis disrupted the negotiations and led Senate Democrats to reject the agreement, resulting in an ongoing stalemate.
Mamdani Mulls Scrapping Free Parking As NYC Faces $5.4B Budget Gap
Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to join all Republicans in support of the measure. Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky returned to the chamber for the first time this month after recovering from a brief illness that presented flu-like symptoms.
On Tuesday, negotiators acknowledged that there has been little progress in discussions regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in recent days.
“So far, they have not budged on the key issues,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.
Democrats have been calling for reforms in the way the Trump administration conducts its immigration enforcement campaign as a condition for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On Tuesday, Schumer specifically highlighted the need to unmask agents and tighten warrant requirements—both of which are top priorities for Democrats in their negotiations, noted The Hill.
“So far, we’ve heard crickets from them. Nothing. They’re not negotiating, ” Schumer said. “They’re just trying to pass paper back and forth with no new changes.”
When asked whether President Trump’s potential comments about the government shutdown could impact negotiations, Schumer replied, “It depends what he says.”
The White House has not yet issued a formal counteroffer to the Democratic negotiators following the minority party’s most recent proposal submitted about a week ago. Republicans have expressed similar concerns to Schumer, accusing Democrats of presenting an offer that closely resembles their initial 10-point plan.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters that discussions at the moment are “informal,” while negotiators are keeping up dialogue in order to find a “landing spot.”
“The conversations — they continue, but I wouldn’t say there’s been a, necessarily, a breakthrough yet. … I hope that we get it funded,” Thune said, noting that DHS workers, most of whom have been required to report to work, are at risk of missing a paycheck at the end of the week.
“I’m hoping that there’s a breakthrough here soon,” he continued. “I know there are sincere discussions going on, I know at least from a White House standpoint, and hopefully from the Democrat standpoint as well.”
Democrats also blocked a vote to fund DHS prior to the Presidents Day recess, which ensured the shutdown would go into effect.
With no agreement in sight, the administration has changed its tactics in an effort to bring Democrats closer to a deal. One key action was the decision to suspend Global Entry and TSA PreCheck—popular programs that allow passengers to expedite their way through airport security.
Although the suspension of TSA PreCheck was quickly reversed, these maneuvers frustrated Democrats. They pointed out that the administration did not implement similar actions during the record 43-day shutdown last fall, arguing that such measures are ultimately detrimental to the American public.
The travel announcements coincided with FEMA’s decision to pause “non-emergency recovery work,” and congressional members will no longer receive courtesy airport escorts.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who represents Dulles International Airport, stated on Tuesday that Global Entry is designed to assist “pre-approved, low-risk travelers” in achieving “expedited entry” into the U.S.
He noted that more than 18 million individuals used the program in 2025, saving over 300,000 officer hours at 79 ports of entry, The Hill reported.
Trump: '2%' Commit '90% of the Crime
President Donald Trump on Monday said his administration is focused on apprehending "the 2%" of people who commit crimes, arguing that removing repeat offenders has already led to dramatic drops in violence in several major U.S. cities.
Trump made the remarks during a wide-ranging conversation with Dan Bongino on the former FBI deputy director's first show since leaving his post, using the interview to draw a sharp contrast between his crime policies and those of the Biden administration and Democrat-led cities.
"Two percent of the people create 90% of the crime," Trump said. "You don't have to arrest the entire population.
"We go after the 2%."
Trump described hardened repeat offenders as "sick people" who commit crimes over and over again, blaming lenient prosecutors, sanctuary city policies, and what he called a "catch-and-release" justice system for allowing violent criminals back onto the streets.
"If you take those people out," Trump said, "you have a huge impact on crime."
Trump pointed to Memphis as a prime example, saying crime dropped roughly 75% within months after federal authorities surged resources at the request of local leaders.
He cited a similar outcome in New Orleans, where he said crime fell by about 80% after federal intervention.
"That's not amazing," Trump said. "That's what happens when you actually enforce the law."
Trump contrasted those results with cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis, accusing Democrat governors and mayors of obstructing federal efforts to crack down on violent crime.
Even so, he said, targeted federal involvement has still reduced crime in Chicago by about 25% despite resistance from local officials.
Trump also tied crime to illegal immigration, arguing that Biden-era border policies allowed millions of people — including violent criminals — to enter the country unchecked.
Trump said his administration has reversed that trend by restoring border enforcement and supporting local law enforcement.
"Sanctuary cities are a disaster," Trump said, adding that he has ordered federal funding withheld from jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement.
He also criticized what he called politically motivated prosecutions, citing the case of Tina Peters, a Colorado woman jailed after questioning ballot handling while serving as a voting inspector during former President Joe Biden's term.
Trump said the case exemplifies a justice system that punishes law-abiding citizens while going easy on criminals.
The comments align with broader crime trends reported by major outlets, including The New York Times, which has acknowledged that targeted policing and federal assistance can lead to measurable reductions in violent crime — even as progressive leaders argue for alternatives to traditional enforcement.
Trump rejected those arguments outright, saying rehabilitation efforts fail when applied to habitual offenders.
"They'll never be good," he said. "Eventually, they will kill you."
Trump concluded by saying the U.S. is once again being respected on the world stage, arguing that restoring law and order at home is central to that goal.
"The bottom line," he said, "is we are respected again — like never before."
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
WASHINGTON — A ferocious battle over the soul of American democracy erupted on cable news this week, proving once again that the clash over election integrity is reaching a boiling point.
During a high-stakes segment on Fox News' top-rated program The Five, liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov ignited an intense firestorm by sounding the alarm on the Republican-backed SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act).
Her warning was sharp, direct, and unapologetic: This isn't just a simple Voter ID bill—it’s a bureaucratic roadblock designed to keep millions of legal Americans away from the ballot box.
"Far Beyond Voter ID": Tarlov Sounds the Alarm
While GOP proponents frame the SAVE Act as a common-sense measure to restore trust in elections, Tarlov shredded that narrative live on air, dissecting the fine print of the proposed federal mandate.
Under the bill, anyone registering to vote in federal elections would be legally required to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a physical U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers.
"People hear 'Voter ID' and think it’s just showing a driver's license at the counter," Tarlov argued. "It’s not. This bill demands physical proof of citizenship upfront. Millions of everyday, hard-working American citizens do not have a valid passport sitting in a drawer or immediate access to an official birth certificate. This creates an artificial barrier to a fundamental constitutional right." without instant paperwork access.
Integrity Guardrail or Voter Suppression? The Great Debate
The fiery television debate reflects a massive political rift tearing through Capitol Hill and statehouses across the country.
The Conservative Defense: Republican sponsors and conservative commentators insist the measure is vital to national security and sovereign elections. They argue that verifying citizenship at registration is a necessary safeguard to prevent non-citizens from ever slipping onto federal voter rolls.
The Progressive Pushback: Critics like Tarlov argue that non-citizen voting in federal elections is already illegal, strictly policed, and exceptionally rare. Opponents caution that adding heavy administrative hurdles will unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters—particularly students, low-income citizens, rural voters, and women whose names have changed due to marriage.
The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher
As the debate over voter access versus election security intensifies, the SAVE Act has turned into a major political litmus test.
Is requiring physical proof of citizenship a mandatory protection to guarantee that every vote is lawful? Or is it an unnecessary, red-tape nightmare that punishes legal citizens for not having their paperwork in order?
One thing is certain: as long as voices like Jessica Tarlov continue to push back on prime-time television, the fight over who gets to vote—and how hard it is to do so—is far from over.
Jessica Tarlov Says Trump Has 35% Approval Rating in Most Polls
Supporters of the bill strongly disagree, saying it is designed to protect election integrity by preventing non-citizens from registering to vote. Opponents argue the existing safeguards are already sufficient and fear the measure could unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters. Is the SAVE Act a necessary election safeguard, or does it create unnecessary barriers to voting?
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
NEW YORK — The set of Fox News’ hit show The Five has seen its fair share of heated shouting matches, but what went down behind the scenes this week turned a political debate into an outright crime scene.
In a shocking move that has sent shockwaves through Manhattan media circles, network executives have suspended co-host Jessica Tarlov indefinitely following an alleged physical assault on a crew member during a commercial break.
The reason for the explosive violent outburst? A camera operator made the fatal mistake of laughing out loud at one of her political talking points.
The Laugh That Triggered a Rampage
According to multiple insider accounts and studio witnesses, the situation escalated with terrifying speed. During a taped segment discussing presidential leadership, Tarlov aggressively defended President Joe Biden, passionately declaring him to be "one of the most alert and engaged presidents in American history."
While her conservative co-hosts on The Five usually counter her hot takes with eye-rolls and sharp rebuttals, it was an off-camera crew member who couldn't hold back.
A veteran camera operator reportedly chuckled out loud at the statement—a moment of candid disbelief that pushed Tarlov entirely over the edge.
"She just flew completely off the handle," one studio staffer revealed under the condition of anonymity. "Jessica has always been hyper-sensitive to pushback, but this was different. The moment she heard that laugh, her face changed. She lost control, lunged at the crew member, and turned physically aggressive. It took two floor managers to pull her off."
Fox News Responds: A Mandatory "Cooling-Off" Period
Network executives acted swiftly to control the fallout. Within hours of the incident, Tarlov was escorted from the building and informed of her immediate, indefinite suspension.
While the network hasn't closed the door permanently—noting they will consider a formal appeal at a later date—the consensus inside the building is clear: She is out for the foreseeable future.
In a internal memo, management framed the suspension as a mandatory "cooling-off period" to review safety protocols and investigate the physical altercation. However, staff members say the atmosphere on set remains deeply rattled.
Beyond Political Delusion: When Rhetoric Turns Violent
Political commentators across social media were quick to seize on the scandal. For years, Tarlov served as the resident liberal voice on The Five, regularly taking fire from a panel of staunch conservatives. But critics argue that defending the indefensible finally broke her composure.
To many viewers, claiming Biden was "sharp and alert" in 2024 or 2025 was already seen as an exercise in extreme political bias—but resorting to physical violence when called out on it marks a dangerous new low.
"This isn't just about partisan bias anymore," noted one media analyst following the story. "When a commentator becomes so consumed by political delusion that a simple chuckle triggers a physical assault, you've crossed a line from political debate into total instability."
What’s Next for The Five?
As Fox News searches for a temporary replacement to fill the liberal chair, the network faces intense scrutiny over workplace safety and on-set decorum.
Will Jessica Tarlov ever walk back onto the set of The Five, or has the "token leftist" finally burned her last bridge in cable news?
This story is actively developing. Scroll down to view real-time updates, legal analysis of the alleged assault, and reaction clips from around the media world!
