{"id":2574040,"date":"2026-02-26T15:51:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T20:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-official-administration-cant-shift-funds-for-dhs-workers-amid-shutdown\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:53:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T20:53:01","slug":"trump-official-administration-cant-shift-funds-for-dhs-workers-amid-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-official-administration-cant-shift-funds-for-dhs-workers-amid-shutdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump official: Administration can&#8217;t shift funds for DHS workers amid shutdown"},"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%2Ftrump-official-administration-cant-shift-funds-for-dhs-workers-amid-shutdown%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=2574040&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>Officials say the White House cannot reallocate department of Homeland Security funds to pay workers at agencies like the TSA during the partial government shutdown,a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cdc-to-release-revised-guidance-reducing-covid-19-quarantine-time-from-14-days-to-7-10\/\" title=\"CDC to release revised guidance reducing COVID-19 quarantine time from 14 days to 7-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >senior administration official<\/a> told<\/a> the Washington Examiner. Democrats want Congress to reopen the government and fund DHS thru normal appropriations rather than allow discretionary transfers, as was done for defense during the previous shutdown. Senate Republicans, led by John Thune, floated the idea of a White House workaround to keep DHS employees paid while immigration talks with Democrats continue, potentially taking pressure off Republicans while addressing ICE funding separately. Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, say the responsibility lies with Republicans to fund DHS, and the negotiations center on restricting ICE funding in exchange for a broader agreement. The piece also notes that ICE funding under last year\u2019s legislation runs through 2029, reducing the immediate pressure to fund the agency, and includes coverage of a TSA worker image and related commentary.  <\/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\">Shifting funds to pay DHS workers during shutdown not an option: Trump official<\/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_2510356\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The White House is unable to repurpose funding to pay <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\/\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a> workers at agencies such as the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tsa\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tsa\/\">Transportation Security Administration<\/a> during the partial <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/government-shutdown\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/government-shutdown\/\">government shutdown<\/a>, a senior administration official told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4472327\/john-thune-floats-lifeline-dhs-unpaid-workers-partial-shutdown\/\">floated the option as a possible lifeline<\/a> for those going unpaid at DHS agencies such as TSA, the Coast Guard, and Secret Service amid &ldquo;slow moving&rdquo; immigration enforcement negotiations with Democrats in exchange for funding.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4471302\/jd-vance-democrats-state-of-the-union-preformance\/\">Vance &#8216;not so sure&#8217; Democrats love the US after State of the Union performance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4473112\/biden-fbi-spied-on-susie-wiles-during-trump-campaign\/\">Biden FBI spied on Susie Wiles during Trump&rsquo;s campaign<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4473089\/newsom-vance-rubio-phonies-switching-trump-critics-allies\/\">Newsom calls JD Vance and Marco Rubio &#8216;phonies&#8217; for turning from Trump critics to allies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>But a senior administration official, granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Thursday that because of the discretionary appropriations structure for DHS, the White House budget office cannot shift funds from other accounts as it did during last year&rsquo;s shutdown to pay military troops with unspent research, development, and procurement defense funds.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the official pressed for Democrats, who are blocking funding until a deal is reached on new restrictions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to relent on their demands.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[The] best way to get TSA paid is for Democrats to vote to reopen the government and not hold this key funding hostage,&rdquo; the official said.<\/p>\n<p>During negotiations prior to the partial shutdown that began Feb. 14, Democrats pushed to fund everything under DHS except ICE to limit the shutdown&rsquo;s impact. They wanted Congress to appropriate the funds rather than the administration shuffling money around as it did for defense spending during last year&rsquo;s prolonged shutdown.<\/p>\n<p>Thune suggested Wednesday that the White House might have the authority and resources to step in for unpaid workers under DHS, underscoring the lack of progress with reaching a deal on Democratic demands to restrict President&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s&nbsp;deportation agenda in exchange for overcoming a filibuster. The approach would take pressure off Democrats while allowing Republicans to sidestep the scrutiny of passing a spending bill that omits ICE.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A TSA agent wears a U.S. Department of Homeland Security patch on their uniform at Love Field Airport in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/LM Otero)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s massive tax and spending legislation that passed last year funds ICE into 2029, including during the shutdown, lowering pressure to fund the agency immediately.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Anything you can do to keep people employed,&rdquo; Thune told reporters Wednesday. &ldquo;If they can figure out a way to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taliban-uses-foreign-aid-intended-for-starving-afghans-to-enslave-them\/\" title=\"Taliban Uses Foreign Aid Intended for Starving Afghans to Enslave Them\">pay government employees<\/a>, absolutely. These are people who have jobs and have commitments and have families.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, he described bipartisan talks on ICE as &ldquo;slow-moving&rdquo; but maintained &ldquo;hope for a breakthrough.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4472327\/john-thune-floats-lifeline-dhs-unpaid-workers-partial-shutdown\/\">THUNE FLOATS WHITE HOUSE LIFELINE FOR UNPAID DHS WORKERS AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4461982\/white-house-trump-democrats-homeland-security-shutdown-talks-karoline-leavitt\/\">ball was in Republicans&rsquo; court<\/a>&nbsp;to fund DHS after submitting their latest counteroffer to the White House more than a week ago.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Very simply, all they have to do is agree with our simple ideas that every <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ferguson-police-officer-critically-injured-by-violent-protesters-on-10th-anniversary-of-michael-browns-death\/\" title=\"Ferguson Pol... Off...r Critically Injured by Violent &#039;Protesters&#039; on 10th Anniversary of Michael Brown&#039;s Death\">police department &#038;mdash<\/a>; just about &mdash; in America follows, and we&rsquo;ll get it all done,&rdquo; Schumer said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s plain and simple.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\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>WH can&#8217;t reallocate DHS to pay TSA during shutdown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2574041,"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\/AP26049814482263.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[7492,6513,5045,5894,5123],"class_list":["post-2574040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dhs","tag-funding","tag-government","tag-politics","tag-shutdown"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26049814482263.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574040","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\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574040"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574044,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574040\/revisions\/2574044"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}