By Tiffany Williams –
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump told lawmakers during his 2026 State of the Union address, “Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers. Tonight, I am demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the Border Security and Homeland Security of the United States.”
As of February 2026, the Department of Homeland Security is experiencing a partial funding lapse after Congress failed to pass a continuing appropriations measure. Portions of the agency are operating under limited or essential‑only funding, though critical security functions, including border protection and counterterrorism operations, continue to operate. Programs such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection remain active despite the lapse.
While some Senate Democrats opposed a full‑year DHS funding bill in late January, the department has not been “closed,” and a funding lapse is not the same as permanently cutting off appropriations. Shutdowns occur when Congress does not agree on a budget by the statutory deadline, leaving some employees working without pay and certain nonessential operations paused.
Trump’s demand for “full and immediate restoration” of DHS funding aligns with his political objectives and reflects a call for Congress to end the funding impasse. Analysts note that while a partial lapse is factual, claims that Democrats have entirely cut funding or shuttered the agency overstate the situation and do not reflect ongoing essential operations.
Observers describe the president’s remarks as politically charged, emphasizing urgency and risk, but independent reporting clarifies that the department continues to fulfill critical security missions even amid the funding lapse.