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Obama's Former DHS Secretary Just Broke With Dems on the Schumer Shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 8:28 GMT by Townhall
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Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Vilsack, a key figure in the Obama administration’s effort to overhaul the nation’s border and immigration system, has taken an unprecedented stand against the Democratic leadership over the latest congressional shutdown. In a blistering editorial for Townhall, Vilsack calls the impasse “a national security crisis” and urges Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to abandon partisan brinkmanship in favor of a pragmatic, bipartisan solution that will protect the country’s borders and restore public confidence in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A Break with the Party

Vilsack’s critique is sharply directed at the Democratic Party’s use of the federal budget as a bargaining chip. The shutdown, which began when Congress failed to agree on a fiscal year that would fund DHS for the first time since 2018, has left the agency scrambling to maintain essential services. According to Vilsack, “the Democrats have decided that the budget is a political tool, not a means of safeguarding our nation.” The former secretary, who served as DHS chief from 2014 to 2017, underscores how the stalled appropriations are eroding the agency’s ability to monitor and respond to threats along the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond.

The Human Cost

Vilsack cites the human toll of the shutdown. He points out that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, who rely on DHS funding for training, equipment, and technology, are unable to perform essential functions such as processing visa applications and conducting background checks. “Our border patrol agents are on the front lines, and their ability to keep the nation safe is being compromised by political gamesmanship,” Vilsack says. He also notes that the shutdown hampers the processing of legal immigration applications, causing delays that impact families and businesses nationwide.

A Call for Bipartisanship

Central to Vilsack’s message is a call for bipartisan cooperation. He recalls his time at DHS, when he worked closely with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to secure funding for critical initiatives like the 2008 “Secure Fence Act” and the modernization of the agency’s intelligence-sharing systems. “When I was Secretary, we didn’t let ideology dictate funding,” he says. “We looked at the numbers, the needs, and the risks. We delivered.”

Vilsack urges Schumer specifically to “step up and lead the charge for a compromise.” He stresses that the current stalemate is unsustainable, citing data that indicates the DHS budget has been steadily increasing since the Obama era to address new threats such as cyber-attacks and transnational terrorism. “If we cannot fund DHS, we’re basically inviting more vulnerability,” he argues.

Policy Positions

In addition to condemning the shutdown, Vilsack outlines a policy framework he believes would satisfy both sides. He supports a “security-first” immigration approach that enhances border screening, expands electronic monitoring of travelers, and invests in workforce training for border agents. Vilsack also emphasizes the need for increased cooperation with international partners to address the root causes of migration, such as violence and poverty in Central America.

He rejects the “welfare” narrative that some Democrats use to paint all immigrants as a drain on resources. “We have to differentiate between legitimate asylum seekers and those who exploit our system,” Vilsack states. He also calls for a transparent, data-driven process for determining visa allocations, arguing that this will reduce political polarization and build public trust.

Historical Context

Vilsack reflects on how the current shutdown compares to past budget impasses. He points out that the 2013 “fiscal cliff” forced a temporary shutdown that had far-reaching consequences for the entire federal government. He warns that the present shutdown risks becoming a precedent for future partisan standoffs, jeopardizing the very agencies that protect national security.

The Role of the Media

The former DHS chief also addresses the media’s role in shaping public opinion. He criticizes partisan outlets for framing the shutdown as a purely fiscal disagreement while ignoring its security implications. “The media needs to move beyond partisan sound bites and report the real risks,” Vilsack insists. He calls on journalists to fact-check and to highlight the agency’s operational challenges during the pause.

Conclusion

In closing, Vilsack frames the shutdown not merely as a political quagmire but as a threat to American safety. He implores the Democratic caucus to set aside ideological differences and adopt a pragmatic, bipartisan budget that reflects the agency’s needs. By urging Schumer to lead the negotiation, Vilsack hopes to restore functional funding for DHS and signal to the American public that national security will not be sacrificed for political gains. The former secretary’s editorial is a stark reminder that homeland security is a shared responsibility, and that any failure to act decisively can have dire consequences for the nation’s safety and the well‑being of millions who rely on secure borders.