Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.
The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown on February 14, 2026 after Congress failed to agree on DHS funding, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE and CBP operations following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. The shutdown — the longest in US history — left over 100,000 DHS employees working without pay, caused TSA staffing crises, and triggered competing House and Senate funding bills.
With six appropriations bills unfunded and a January 30 deadline looming, Senate Democrats are blocking the $1.2 trillion spending package unless restrictions are placed on ICE enforcement operations. The standoff follows the longest shutdown in US history (43 days) that ended in November 2025 and centers on immigration policy disagreements amplified by the Minneapolis killings.
Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, defending his investigations into President Trump. "Donald Trump is the person who caused January 6," Smith stated, adding "No one should be above the law." Trump responded on social media calling for Smith's prosecution. The federal cases against Trump were dropped after his 2024 election victory per DOJ policy barring prosecution of sitting presidents.
The House Oversight Committee voted to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after they declined to appear before the panel, calling the summons politically motivated. The vote highlights ongoing partisan tensions over congressional investigation powers.
Despite the Epstein Files Transparency Act passing the House 427-1 and the Senate by unanimous consent, the Department of Justice has released less than 1% of documents one month past the December 19 deadline. Reps. Khanna and Massie, who drafted the law, say DOJ is in "flagrant violation" and sought appointment of a special master. Victims' advocates note that alleged abusers' names are redacted while survivors' identifying details remain visible.