Story perspectives

GOP Blasts Democrats Over 'Defund Police' Narrative Amid Shutdown

3/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, criticized Democrats for reviving the "defund the police" narrative during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding shutdown.
They argue that a Democratic proposal to fund DHS while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) undermines law enforcement.
Johnson labeled the discharge petition from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as an attempt to defund police.
The shutdown has caused operational disruptions, with TSA employees quitting due to missed paychecks.
Democrats are demanding immigration reforms as part of the funding negotiations.

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Story summary

House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, criticized Democrats for reviving the "defund the police" narrative during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding shutdown.
They argue that a Democratic proposal to fund DHS while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) undermines law enforcement.
Johnson labeled the discharge petition from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as an attempt to defund police.
The shutdown has caused operational disruptions, with TSA employees quitting due to missed paychecks.
Democrats are demanding immigration reforms as part of the funding negotiations.