Trump says partial shutdown is impacting snow removal

President Trump blamed Democrats for the partial government shutdown on February 25, 2026, asserting that the lack of Department of Homeland Security funding was directly impacting the government's ability to assist with snow removal efforts during a major winter storm affecting several states. The President emphasized that federal resources typically deployed to help state and local governments handle severe weather conditions were unavailable due to the ongoing budget impasse, particularly affecting regions in the Northeast experiencing heavy snowfall. Trump highlighted how the funding shortfall was preventing federal agencies from providing the usual support for snow removal operations that communities rely on during major weather events. The President's remarks came as multiple winter systems were moving across the country, causing travel disruptions and power outages in several regions that would typically receive federal assistance. The partial shutdown, now entering its third week, has left approximately 25% of federal agencies without approved funding, with the Department of Homeland Security being one of the most affected. According to administration officials, several emergency response programs under DHS have been forced to operate with skeleton crews, delaying processing of requests for disaster assistance and emergency supplies. This has created a particularly challenging situation as state emergency management directors report increased difficulty coordinating with federal agencies during these weather events. The timing of the shutdown has proven problematic, as communities across multiple states are simultaneously dealing with severe winter weather that typically triggers federal support mechanisms. Democratic leaders pushed back against Trump's assertions, arguing that the President had refused to compromise on border security provisions that were holding up the funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats had offered multiple bipartisan solutions but that the Administration had rejected them in favor of political grandstanding. Meanwhile, several governors from both parties have begun implementing contingency plans to handle winter weather without federal support, though many acknowledge that the lack of coordinated federal response is straining state resources already stretched thin by the prolonged weather events. The political standoff shows no signs of immediate resolution, with both sides digging in their positions despite the increasingly urgent weather-related needs.