Tom Homan clashes with CBS’s Margaret Brennan over DHS shutdown blame

Border czar Tom Homan declares Democrats “shutdown DHS” during a heated debate on CBSFace the NationOn Sunday, host Margaret Brennan questioned why the Trump administration didn’t force Congress to go back and fix the funding issue.

“Look, I hope so. I mean, they need to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Homan said, warning that the United States “is in an increased threat posture right now because of what’s going on in the world.”

The remarks come as the Department of Homeland Security remains partially closed for more than a month, Congress is out of session for a two-week recess and tens of thousands of employees miss paychecks.

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The tense dispute centered on disagreements over immigration enforcement policy, particularly the role and authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Brennen pressed Homan on whether President Donald Trump would force lawmakers to return early, noting that Republicans control both houses of Congress.

“But Republicans control both houses. This is the president’s party,” Brennan said. he said.

Homan rejected this framework and placed the blame squarely on Democrats.

Tom Homan and New York (AP/Reuters)

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“Democrats shut down DHS. They voted to shut down DHS not because they don’t fund DHS, but because they want to change ICE policies so ICE is less effective domestically,” Homan said.

Brennen noted that a bipartisan Senate bill to fund DHS was passed but rejected by House leadership, leading him to ask why the White House has failed to unite the GOP.

“This is not a White House issue. This is Democrats shutting down the Department of Homeland Security,” Homan responded, adding that he had met with lawmakers “from both parties.”

White House border czar Tom Homan was dispatched to Minnesota on January 26, 2026, to oversee the state’s immigration crackdown. (Jim Watson/Getty Images)

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Asked directly whether he supports the Senate bill, Homan refrained from making a direct endorsement.

“I support Congress opening up the entire government, the entire DHS, and not holding people at DHS hostage because they don’t like immigration enforcement,” Homan continued. “I support the President of the United States in ensuring DHS is fully funded and operational.”

Homan also touched on the operational impacts of the closure, including staffing shortages at airports. He said the administration has taken steps to reduce disruptions, including deploying ICE agents to assist with TSA operations.

“I’m hopeful that with this change that President Trump has put in place, more people will come back to work,” Homan said, referring to efforts to reform TSA officers’ pay.

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Homan acknowledged the strain on airport operations during the shutdown, noting that hundreds of TSA employees have left their positions as pay cuts continue, forcing federal agencies to adjust staffing to keep security lines moving.

“We will keep more ICE agents there…we will be there for as long as they need us until we can return to normal operations,” Homan said.

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