Minnesota shooting fuels fears of US shutdown
US Senate (photo: Getty Images)
In the US, the risk of another partial government shutdown is rising after Senate Democrats threatened to block a federal funding bill if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to The Hill.
The Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, opposed DHS funding - specifically $10 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - in response to the recent fatal shooting of a federal agent in Minneapolis.
Statements and protest sentiments among lawmakers emerged after the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti during an operation in Minneapolis involving ICE agents, which sparked widespread attention and criticism of law enforcement policies.
Senate Democrats emphasize that they will not support the government funding package unless the DHS budget is unchanged, with significant modifications and oversight conditions. In particular, their demands include strengthening accountability mechanisms for federal agents and limiting practices that opponents say encourage abuse.
The bill, which allocates $64.4 billion to DHS and other agencies, with funding for key departments and offices, requires at least 60 votes in the Senate to overcome the threshold and pass. With the current Republican control of the upper chamber (53 seats), it will be difficult to pass without Democratic support, the publication notes.
The Hill reminds that the current situation comes less than two months after the US experienced the longest shutdown in its history in October, which lasted 43 days due to budget disputes and ended with the approval of temporary funding until January 30, 2026.
If a compromise on DHS funding is not reached by the end of January, when current funds expire, part of the federal government could once again suspend operations, affecting its activities and services for citizens.
The US shutdown in October–November 2025 was caused by disputes between Republicans and Democrats over the healthcare budget for the year. The Democrats insisted on continuing health insurance subsidies, while Republicans opposed them.
Shooting in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis (Minnesota), ICE agents shot Alex Pretti during a confrontation at protests. This is the second fatal incident involving law enforcement in the past month.
The official version of the investigation states that the agents opened fire because the man had a gun that posed a threat to law enforcement. Federal employees were supported by US President Donald Trump.
However, media outlets analyzed video of the incident and reported that Alex Pretti did not have a weapon in his hands when the agents began shooting. The deceased reportedly had a phone in one hand, and the other hand was empty.
Minnesota authorities filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent evidence tampering, as ICE agents did not wait for the police and left the scene of the incident.
