The Fox News Rundown From Washington: Attorney General Pam Bondi Butts Heads with Congress as DHS Shuts Down
Feb 14, 2026
Chad Pergram, Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent who reports on Capitol Hill, explains the partial DHS shutdown and who it hits. He breaks down why talks collapsed over ICE reforms and timing pressures. He also recaps the heated Judiciary Committee clashes over Pam Bondi and ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein files.
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DHS Shutdown Hits Frontline Operations
- The DHS shutdown affects crucial frontline services like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA and cybersecurity despite being only 4% of government.
- Chad Pergram says the shutdown wears on workers and creates political leverage for both parties.
Clash Over ICE Drives The Standoff
- Democrats push ICE reforms to satisfy their base and respond to incidents like Minnesota; Republicans resist, citing border-security wins in 2024.
- Pergram notes that ICE funding isn't immediately at risk because it’s funded through 2029, but negotiations remain bitter.
Two-Week CRs Create False Urgency
- Short CRs (two-week extensions) compress negotiation time and often guarantee repeat shutdown showdowns.
- Pergram argues two-week stopgaps create procedural pressure that makes deals harder to finalize.