White House plays hardball with Democrats over DHS shutdown

The Hill

by Al Weaver

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

White House plays hardball with Democrats over DHS shutdown

The White House has escalated its battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by suspending the Global Entry program for international travelers and threatening to do the same for TSA PreCheck. This move has sparked outrage among Democrats, who argue that the administration is unnecessarily harming the public to achieve its political goals. The suspension of these popular programs, which streamline security screenings at airports and border crossings, has caused significant inconvenience for travelers worldwide and raised concerns about the broader implications for U.S. security and international relations. The Global Entry program allows pre-screened travelers to skip long customs lines after arriving in the United States, while TSA PreCheck provides expedited screening at airport checkpoints. By suspending these services, the White House is targeting a key constituency of frequent travelers, many of whom are loyal to neither political party but represent a significant demographic of middle- and upper-class Americans. Democrats have condemned the decision as an act of "economic warfare" against American families, accusing the administration of using the public’s reliance on these programs as leverage in negotiations. The White House maintains that it is simply defending its position in a contentious budget battle over DHS funding. Administration officials argue that Democrats are forcing unnecessary delays by tying the funding package to policy demands unrelated to security, such as border wall construction and immigration enforcement. They claim that the suspension of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck is a calculated response to what they view as an unfair impasse in negotiations. This standoff highlights the ongoing tensions between the two political parties over control of DHS and its priorities. Democrats see the administration’s actions as a cynical attempt to inflict pain on the American people, while Republicans defend them as tough but necessary negotiating tactics. The outcome of this battle could set a precedent for how future budget disputes are handled, with significant implications for U.S. security, international travel, and domestic politics. Ultimately, this issue matters because it underscores the

Verticals

politicsnews

Originally published on The Hill on 2/24/2026