We are now in a full-blown DHS shutdown, and the public positioning on both sides could not be clearer. Hakeem Jeffries says funding will resume only when Democratic demands are met. Republicans say Democrats are multiplying those demands by the day, turning a ten-point list into what feels like two or three times that.
What has changed is the center of gravity inside DHS itself. Tom Homan, once known for brash television appearances and tough-guy rhetoric, has emerged as the adult in the room. Across several of the Sunday shows, he struck a noticeably measured tone, defending enforcement priorities while signaling a willingness to recalibrate in places like Minneapolis, where agents are now being pulled back after weeks of controversy.
At the same time, Kristi Noem is facing mounting scrutiny. A Wall Street Journal investigation portrayed dysfunction inside DHS, alleging management turmoil, questionable travel decisions, and friction with career officials. Homan declined to pile on publicly, but the optics are unmistakable. If there has been an internal shift in influence, it appears to be moving away from Noem and toward Homan.
