{"id":2571178,"date":"2026-02-18T16:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T21:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-trump-hasnt-had-direct-talks-with-democrats-on-dhs\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:47:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T21:47:26","slug":"white-house-trump-hasnt-had-direct-talks-with-democrats-on-dhs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-trump-hasnt-had-direct-talks-with-democrats-on-dhs\/","title":{"rendered":"White House: Trump hasn&#8217;t had direct talks with Democrats on DHS"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhite-house-trump-hasnt-had-direct-talks-with-democrats-on-dhs%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571178&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Washington Examiner reports that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump has not yet held direct conversations with Democratic leaders about the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, despite his previous remarks that he would be personally involved in negotiations. Leavitt stated that while the White House and the president\u2019s representatives have been in contact with both parties, Trump has not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mccloskey-what-does-swamp-in-dc-hate-the-most-god-has-more-power-than-they-do\/\" title=\"McCloskey: What Does Swamp In DC Hate The Most? God Has More Power Than They Do\">recently spoken<\/a> with Democratic lawmakers about DHS funding. the DHS shutdown occurred after lawmakers failed to pass a stand-alone <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cdc-director-admits-its-not-just-science-that-affects-our-guidance-on-opening-schools\/\" title=\"CDC Director Admits: It\u2019s Not Just Science That Affects Our Guidance On Opening Schools\">funding package<\/a>, with Democrats opposing the Trump governance\u2019s immigration policies. Leavitt argued that Democrats are responsible for the shutdown, noting that DHS workers, Coast Guard members, and TSA personnel would be working without pay for political reasons. She described the Democrats\u2019 counterproposal as \u201cvery unserious\u201d and reiterated Trump\u2019s intention to be involved in talks.The piece also references a White House briefing video and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >related suggested stories<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">White House says Trump hasn&rsquo;t had &lsquo;direct&rsquo; talks with Democrats over DHS shutdown<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2509112\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>White House press secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4453068\/white-house-confirms-trump-floated-renaming-penn-station-dulles-airport-after-himself\/\">Karoline Leavitt<\/a> told reporters that President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4460058\/trump-dc-potomac-river-sewage-spill-cleanup\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> has yet to engage with Democratic leadership on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/homeland-security\/\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a> shutdown, despite the president&rsquo;s comments last week that he would personally be involved in the talks.<\/p>\n<p>Before departing the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> last Friday, Trump told reporters that he had not yet personally taken part in the DHS funding negotiations, but that he &ldquo;will&rdquo; soon. The department shut down after lawmakers failed to pass a stand-alone funding package, with major Democratic reservations about the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> immigration policies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4462014\/watch-live-trump-holds-black-history-month-reception\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump holds Black History Month reception<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4461715\/watch-live-karoline-leavitt-white-house-press-briefing-dhs-budget-iran\/\">WATCH LIVE: Karoline Leavitt holds White House press briefing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4460964\/trump-dhs-shutdown-bully-pulpit-state-union\/\">Trump to get DHS shutdown &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-announces-sanctions-against-belarusian-president-for-the-killing-of-ukrainians\/\" title=\"Zelensky announces sanctions against Belarusian president for \u2018the killing of Ukrainians\u2019\">bully pulpit&#038;rsquo<\/a>; with State of the Union address<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>However, Leavitt said at Wednesday&rsquo;s White House press briefing that the president &ldquo;hasn&rsquo;t had any direct conversations or correspondence with Democrat lawmakers recently.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t mean he&rsquo;s not willing to. I&rsquo;m just not aware of any conversations that have taken place,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;I do know the White House and the president&rsquo;s representatives have been in direct conversations with both Democrats and Republicans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Leavitt additionally claimed that &ldquo;Democrats are the reason that the Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They have chosen to act against the American people for political reasons, and now we have[[<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fema\/\">Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/a>]workers, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, men and women of[[<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tsa\/\">Transportation Security Administration<\/a>]who keep our airports moving, who will be working without paychecks for no good reason other than the Democrats wanting to pick a fight with Donald Trump,&rdquo; she claimed. &ldquo;The president thinks that is irresponsible and despicable. He wants the government to be open.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Leavitt noted that Democrats submitted a counterproposal to the White House over the long weekend, which she referred to as &ldquo;very unserious.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4457572\/trump-says-involved-dhs-funding-talks\/\">TRUMP SAYS HE&rsquo;LL BE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN DHS FUNDING TALKS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We hope they get serious very soon, because Americans are going to be impacted by this,&rdquo; she concluded.<\/p>\n<p>Watch Wednesday&rsquo;s briefing in full below:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"RkMpdNeG2sA\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Feb. 18, 2026\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RkMpdNeG2sA?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>White House says Trump hasnt spoken to Dems on DHS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2645,"featured_media":2571179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26048649587996.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3685,7492,11860,3634,6062],"class_list":["post-2571178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democrats","tag-dhs","tag-negotiations","tag-trump","tag-whitehouse"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26048649587996.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2645"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571178"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571182,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571178\/revisions\/2571182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}