House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana on Wednesday accused Democrats of triggering one of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history by shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, warning that such actions endanger national security and put Americans at risk.
In a press release, Johnson stated that Democratic efforts to block deportations of illegal immigrants have led to this shutdown while jeopardizing critical national security operations. “In their haste to defend criminal illegal aliens, Democrats have shut down the Department of Homeland Security … and jeopardized our national security at a time of heightened threats,” Johnson said.
Johnson specifically criticized House Democrats’ proposal to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security while leaving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without funding — an action he described as crippling for the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agency. “Any bill that strips [CBP’s] funding weakens our defenses against terrorist plots, undermines the integrity of our borders, and disrupts lawful travel,” Johnson added.
CBP, which employs more than 60,000 personnel, is central to securing the nation’s approximately 6,000 miles of land borders and 2,000 miles of coastline. The agency manages ports of entry and combats transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism.
Johnson cited recent data showing that border apprehensions in fiscal year 2025 hit their lowest levels in more than 50 years, while December encounters dropped 92% from peak levels during the Biden administration. Additionally, CBP seized over 12,000 pounds of fentanyl in 2025 — a substance that remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 48.
The ongoing standoff has also impacted frontline personnel, including TSA agents and Coast Guard members, raising concerns about safety and operational readiness.
Johnson warned that defunding CBP would reverse these gains and weaken efforts to stop drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime. Beyond law enforcement, CBP also protects U.S. agriculture by preventing the spread of invasive species and foreign diseases that cost the nation more than $26 billion annually.
The speaker accused Democrats of attempting to return to what he described as the “open border policies” of the Biden administration, which saw millions of illegal crossings in recent years. Johnson stated that Republicans would not allow Democrats to reopen TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard unless borders were reopened.
Johnson concluded with a stark warning: “The prolonged disruption could be both costly and deadly if critical border security functions are not fully restored.”
