US Shutdown Looms Despite Trump Backing Spending Deal

President Donald Trump has endorsed a bipartisan spending deal designed to prevent a government shutdown, but he acknowledged that a lapse in funding could still occur.

"It could happen," Trump told reporters. "I don't know."

The immediate threat of a shutdown hangs over Washington as current funding for large parts of the federal government is set to expire at midnight on Friday. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled that it would be difficult to recall members of the House of Representatives, who are on a scheduled break, for a vote before Monday. This timing raises the possibility of at least a temporary weekend shutdown.

After failing to pass the legislation late Thursday, the Senate is scheduled to resume its work on the matter on Friday.

Immigration Fight Complicates Funding Vote

The core of the legislative delay is a contentious debate over immigration enforcement tactics, which has now become entangled with the broader government funding package.

President Trump urged lawmakers to support the deal in a social media post, writing, "Hopefully, both Republicans and Democrats will give a very much needed Bipartisan 'YES' Vote."

However, Senate Democrats had threatened to block the funding bill. Their goal is to pressure the Trump administration to rein in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following recent controversial actions by federal immigration agents.

A Two-Week Fix for Homeland Security

The compromise negotiated in the Senate aims to separate the two issues. Under the proposed deal, the main spending package—which funds agencies like the Pentagon and the Department of Health and Human Services—would be passed promptly to ensure their uninterrupted operation.

To resolve the impasse, the agreement would handle DHS funding separately. The department's funding would be extended for two weeks, giving negotiators additional time to reach an agreement on new rules for immigration agents without holding the rest of the government hostage.

Agent Conduct Sparks Bipartisan Outrage

The standoff was fueled by the shooting death of nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, an incident that sparked widespread public outrage. Pretti's death marked the second time this month that a US citizen with no criminal record was killed in an incident involving immigration law enforcement.

In response, Senate Democrats are demanding new restrictions on federal immigration agents, including:

• An end to roving patrols

• A ban on agents wearing face masks

• A requirement for agents to wear body cameras

The public reaction has already prompted the Trump administration to de-escalate its immigration enforcement operations in the region.