The United States is on high alert after Operation Epic Fury, and Representatives Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) are accusing Democrats of shutting down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when the U.S. needs it the most.
The Arizona Republicans argue that Democrats shut down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after stubbornly insisting on changes to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts operations after the deaths of two anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis earlier this year.
However, with Iran's top leadership assassinated in a joint U.S.-Israel operation, fear over Iranian sleeper agents activating in retaliation for the strikes is brewing.
"Now would be a good time for democrats to end their politically-motivated shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security," Rep. Crane wrote on social media, responding to an article from Axios on how American cities are taking protective measures amid tension with Iran.
Rep. Hamadeh directed more heated language at Democrats, however, writing, "Every moment Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, and Schumer Democrats let DHS limp along without full funding, they're playing Russian roulette with American lives. Time to end this tantrum, stop the obstruction, and fully fund DHS to keep America safe."
Hamadeh had previously warned of the existence of Iranian sleeper cells in June as justification for passing the "Big, Beautiful Bill," saying they are "a real concern," but stipulating that "so is the risk posed by every unvetted illegal immigrant Biden allowed to enter our country."
In December, Crane similarly warned of the White House's estimate that 18,000 known and suspected terrorists entered the United States during the Biden Administration, although he was not referring specifically to jihadists.
"You're seeing terrorist attacks especially over the last, I would say, couple of weeks really escalate and pick up," Crane said. "That's always a big concern of mine."
