Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota blasted Senate Democrats for continuing to block critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security, as a partial government shutdown has dragged on for more than three weeks.
He accused Democrats of failing in one of their most basic responsibilities as elected officials, particularly as domestic security concerns tied to Operation Epic Fury continue to grow.
🔥@LeaderJohnThune is HEATED — BLASTS Democrats for keeping the Department of Homeland Security Shut Down.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 10, 2026
"This is a new low. There are certain things the American people expect of their elected officials. One of which, is continuing the basic functioning of government." pic.twitter.com/Wak0FqgbYP
"This is kind of a new low, really," Sen. Thune said. "There are certain things the American people, I think, expect of their elected officials, one of which is to continue the basic functioning of the government, funding government agencies, especially government agencies that have critical national security missions."
"You know, what makes it even worse, Mr. President, is we have tried now on countless occasions to buy additional time to allow for the negotiations to continue and to fund those agencies, at least temporarily, until there is a permanent solution in place," he added. "We have now twice come down here on the floor and asked for a continuing resolution. Continuing resolution meaning a funding mechanism that will allow these agencies to function and these employees to get paid until such time as there actually is an agreement. And they have objected to that both times."
"So, we're going to try again."
This comes as two separate attacks by Islamic extremists have occurred over the past ten days. The first involved a shooting by a man wearing a “Property of Allah” shirt, with a Quran later found in his vehicle; authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. Over the weekend, two young men who had pledged allegiance to ISIS were arrested for throwing an improvised explosive device at anti-Islam protesters in New York City.
The FBI is still investigating whether the Austin shooting was a TERRORIST ATTACK.
— DeVory Darkins (@devorydarkins) March 6, 2026
"New video also shows the suspect before he was killed by officers, that he was armed by an AR-15, wearing a Property of Allah sweatshirt, before he shoots someone in the parking lot. He then… pic.twitter.com/0BfvSWAlKN
🚨 HOLY CRAP! It was just confirmed that Muslim terrorist Emir Balat pledged allegiance to ISLAMIC TERRORISM to authorities after throwing a bomb at Christians
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 9, 2026
“This isn't a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet...we take action!” Emir… pic.twitter.com/UIiAPwRf88
This also comes as concerns over Iran-aligned sleeper cells have intensified after U.S. officials intercepted an encrypted message believed to be intended to activate operatives across the Western world.
🚨 TERRIFYING: The US has reportedly intercepted encrypted conversations from the Iranian government meant to trigger "SLEEPER CELLS" across the west, including in the US, per ABC
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 9, 2026
Thanks to the Democrats, we have NO CLUE how many of these sleeper cells are in the US, and Schumer… pic.twitter.com/fFfXxMldXr
Editor’s Note: ICE and CBP continue to put themselves in harm's way in order to protect America’s sovereignty and to keep our streets safe.
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