Arizona Republicans Hammer Democrats Over Continued DHS Shutdown

The partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) drags on, and Arizona Republicans are continuing to hammer Democrats on social media for refusing to provide funding.

On Sunday, Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) responded to a post by The Hill that quoted former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, who served under President Barack Obama. Johnson had told The Hill that "ee've got to stop with these funding fights," adding, "You can't punish the workers, it's not their fault."

Rep. Crane responded, "Even Obama-era officials think Schumer/Jeffries-era politicians have gone too far. Now is not the time for partisan games. Fully fund DHS."

Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) echoed previous comments about Democrats ruining vacations, writing, "Democrats are willing to ruin your vacation, endanger your family, and destroy TSA agents' livelihoods, all to shield illegal immigrants from deportation." "They no longer answer to hardworking Americans. Only to their radical base," Rep. Hamadeh added. "Every day, this twisted agenda puts America at greater risk."

Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) remained blunt with "Dems: do your job. Fund the government."

Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) emphasized that "there should be zero TSA agents missing out on their paychecks." "Shame on all who have intentionally withheld funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to play political games," Rep. Biggs added. "These agents deserve so much better."

With the DHS shutdown going on for over a month, President Donald Trump recently ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to deploy in airports to act as security officers, blaming Democrats for refusing to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Notably, Trump stipulated that ICE agents deployed to airports will not wear masks, a major reason Democrats have demanded ICE reforms.

Nevertheless, Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) and other Democrats are opposed to ICE being at airports, with Gov. Hobbs releasing a statement, saying, "The sole reason for this partial government shutdown is the Trump Administration's reckless and irresponsible deployment of ICE, and its refusal to accept measures of accountability."