In a surprising moment on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper pressed Democratic Senator Cory Booker on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, asking point-blank whether it’s time for Democrats to step up and restore funding to the agency.
The exchange took place during Sunday’s episode.
Tapper directly challenged Booker, asking, “Isn’t it time for Democrats to reopen and refund DHS?”
Booker responded by claiming that Democrats have tried multiple times to fund specific parts of the agency, such as TSA, CISA, and the Coast Guard, but that Republicans have refused to fund the entire agency unless it is fully funded.
Tapper pushed back, noting, “Yeah, they want the whole agency.”
WATCH:
HOLY CRAP! Even CNN’s Jake Tapper just CALLED OUT Democrats and Sen. Cory Booker for being responsible for the DHS shutdown
CNN: “Isn’t it TIME for Democrats to reopen DHS?!”
BOOKER: “Republicans have refused!”
CNN: “They want the WHOLE agency funded!”
This is BRUTAL for… pic.twitter.com/FVKqhqRizw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 15, 2026
The DHS shutdown, now into its second month, began after Senate Democrats blocked full funding for the agency, insisting on piecemeal appropriations for select sub-agencies while rejecting comprehensive bills.
House Republicans have passed legislation twice to end the shutdown and fully fund DHS, including H.R. 7744 on March 5, which advanced despite Democrat opposition.
Partial funding could cripple border security and immigration enforcement, especially as the nation faces an increased risk of terror attacks.
More than 300 Transportation Security Administration employees have quit since the start of the shutdown, as they have not been paid.
“Democrats are forcing TSA agents to work without pay for the third time in nearly six months. The financial hardship this Democrat-led chaos created has already forced more than 300 of these heroic officers to LEAVE the force,” DHS wrote on X on Saturday.
Democrats are forcing TSA agents to work without pay for the third time in nearly six months.
The financial hardship this Democrat-led chaos created has already forced more than 300 of these heroic officers to LEAVE the force.
Democrats must fund DHS NOW. pic.twitter.com/KAWZNnZCPd
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 14, 2026
“Democrats must fund DHS NOW,” the post concluded.
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