Stephen A. Smith Blasts Both Parties Over ‘Unacceptable’ DHS Shutdown: ‘People Are Terrified’
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith did not hold back in his criticism of both political parties regarding the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which has resulted in significant staffing shortages and delays at airports nationwide.
“The shutdown is just unacceptable,” Smith stated during an interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation. “Both sides should be embarrassed by this situation.”
For nearly five weeks, DHS has been operating without regular funding, as Democrats have stalled financial support until reforms are made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This impasse follows a surge in operations in Minnesota that tragically resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in January.
The consequences are severe: approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have gone unpaid, leading to hundreds resigning from their positions. This has created long lines at airport security checkpoints, causing many travelers to miss their flights.
“We’re seeing TSA workers resigning—366 have left, and about 10 percent have been calling in sick or skipping work altogether,” Smith remarked, who has previously hinted at a potential presidential run. “The airports are overcrowded, flights are delayed, and people are terrified because they don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Smith emphasized that this situation is detrimental for both parties involved, stating, “That’s not a win for anyone, and someone will ultimately face the consequences for this.”
Government officials have issued warnings that if the shutdown continues, conditions at travel hubs could deteriorate further.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say we may have to shut down airports, especially smaller ones, if call-out rates continue to rise,” Adam Stahl, acting deputy administrator of the TSA, told Fox News on Tuesday.
The Trump administration has attempted to place blame squarely on Democrats, with DHS accusing them of “holding American travelers hostage” and jeopardizing airport safety. On Wednesday, Trump declared that Democrats are “FULLY TO BLAME” and urged them to “face significant repercussions” in the upcoming midterm elections.
In response, Congressional Democrats have pointed fingers at their Republican counterparts. “Let’s be clear: it’s Republicans who control every branch of government in Washington, D.C.,” Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, stated. “I refuse to negotiate with the lives of Americans when we have an agency that is endangering them.”
However, there are indications that the funding lapse may soon be addressed. On Tuesday, the White House proposed several concessions to Democrats, including expanding body camera usage for federal immigration enforcement agents and restricting their operations in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. Additionally, Trump dismissed DHS chief Kristi Noem on March 5 following critical congressional hearings.
On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced plans to introduce a discharge petition aimed at funding DHS agencies—such as TSA, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard—while excluding ICE and CBP from this funding initiative.
