Seeing people get mad about this and what are we even doing here.
1) "Basically DHS is the problem and needs to be stripped out,” <-- this line from Schumer correctly assumes that carving out DHS from the rest of the minibus would be a MASSIVE win for Democrats.
Senate Democrats plot strategy as DHS standoff deepens heading into shutdown week
Two sources who were on a Democratic caucus strategy call Sunday said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the group the message must be to “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.”
2) “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.” <-- People are seeing this and assuming it's some sort of set in stone slogan forever. No, dude, it's the slogan for this particular fight. You're not going to abolish ICE with this funding bill. Sorry, if you think that's on the menu you're just stupid.
Jan 27, 2026 01:273) Democrats have ~no power right now. Imposing significant restrictions on ICE without shutting off funding to the IRS or BLS etc is the equivalent of equalizing after having two players sent off with reds. It would be huge. Nothing about messaging for this fight ties anyone to future policy.
4) I get that everyone wants to be mad at mommy because she makes them eat vegetables but POLITICAL PARTIES ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS, good lord.
(Also recall there is NOTHING Democrats in Congress can do to restrict funding to immigration enforcement. It was funded by the OBBA years into the future regardless of annual appropriations.)
I will end this by saying: dismantle DHS starting with ICE and CBP, fire anyone that has had anything to do with Trump Admin immigration enforcement no questions asked...as soon as you actually have the power to do that.
