In an exchange on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) signaled that Democrats may block the Department of Homeland Security’s upcoming budget unless significant reforms are implemented, specifically targeting what he described as a “lawless” culture within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Speaking with host Kristen Welker just weeks before government funding is set to expire, Murphy drew a hard line in the sand. When asked if he would risk a government shutdown over proposed restrictions on ICE—including banning masks during enforcement and requiring warrants for arrests—the Connecticut senator shifted the burden to the Republican majority.
“The question is for Republicans,” Murphy said. “Are they willing to shut down the government simply to endorse the most lawless Department of Homeland Security in the history of the country?”
The interview followed an appearance by White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who defended an officer involved in a recent shooting as acting in self-defense. Murphy dismissed Homan’s assessment, arguing that the administration has effectively granted “absolute immunity” to immigration officers before any investigation could take place. RELATED: “I’ve Seen This Movie Before”: Homan Blames Rhetoric For Bloodshed In Minnesota
Murphy leveled a specific and unusual charge regarding agency training protocols, alleging that the administration has slashed training duration for ICE officers by half to satisfy a symbolic gesture for President Donald Trump.
“You know why they get 47 days of training? As an homage to the vanity of the president of the United States,” Murphy claimed. “Forty-seven days in training for the 47th president. So we have officers on the streets today who are receiving half as much training.”
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The senator linked this alleged reduction in preparation to a rise in violent incidents, stating that current DHS operations are endangering communities rather than protecting them. He cited reports of officers “walking through parking lots” demanding citizenship status from bystanders in cities like Minneapolis.
Despite his sharp criticism of current operations, Murphy stopped short of joining calls from the progressive wing of his party to dismantle the agency entirely.
When pressed by Welker on whether he supported abolishing ICE, Murphy maintained that a domestic enforcement mechanism is necessary for immigration law. However, he argued that the agency’s current tactics are “inhumane and illegal,” citing the detention of a legally present teenager in his home state as an example of systemic overreach.
With the government funding deadline less than three weeks away, Murphy’s comments suggest a contentious legislative battle ahead. He insisted that while Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House, they will still need Democratic votes to pass a budget.
“If you want to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Murphy said, “I want to fund a Department of Homeland Security that is operating in a safe and legal manner.”
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