Democrats’ TDS-Fueled DHS Shutdown Puts Lives at Risk: Alaska Airlines Near-Crash Exposes the True Cost of Their Dirty Politics

March 20, 2026

Gene Truono, Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party

Democrats’ month-long refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security has crossed from partisan games into outright endangerment of American lives. This week, an Alaska Airlines passenger jet was forced into a terrifying emergency “go-around” at Newark Liberty International Airport after air traffic controllers — already stretched thin by chronic understaffing and federal dysfunction — cleared a FedEx cargo plane onto an intersecting runway. The two aircraft came within hundreds of feet of catastrophic collision.

This heart-stopping near-miss is no accident. It is the predictable result of Democrats weaponizing a government shutdown to score political points, block border enforcement, and settle scores with President Trump — all while knowing full well the pain they are inflicting on everyday Americans.

Democrats themselves have admitted the shutdown is pure leverage — and they’re willing to let families suffer to keep it.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark openly declared: “Shutdowns are terrible, and, of course, there will be families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

That cold admission reveals everything: Democrats know their obstruction is hurting working families, frontline workers, and travelers — yet they choose power plays over people.

Their Trump Derangement Syndrome drives decisions that put national security, aviation safety, and Delaware families last.

The Devastating, Real-World Fallout on Americans – Especially Delawareans:

Aviation Safety Hanging by a Thread
- Alaska Airlines near-collision at Newark exposes dangerous strain on air traffic controllers
- Chronic understaffing + funding uncertainty = heightened fatigue and error risk
- Delaware travelers flying through Philadelphia (PHL) and regional airports now face elevated danger
Frontline Heroes Punished for Democrats’ Games
- Over 100,000 DHS employees (including TSA officers) working without pay — third time in six months
- Callouts surging over 50% at major airports
- 366+ TSA officers have already quit in protest — creating shortages that take months to fix
Spring Break Turned into a Nightmare
- Security lines stretching 3–4 hours at busy airports
- Missed flights, ruined vacations, and skyrocketing stress for Delaware families heading to beaches or reunions
Homeland Security Hollowed Out
- Weakened border enforcement and ICE/CBP operations
- Coast Guard personnel working without guaranteed pay amid rising global threats
- FEMA limited to bare-minimum disaster response
- Cybersecurity defenses strained during heightened risk periods

House Republicans have passed multiple clean funding bills (including H.R. 7744) to end the shutdown and protect workers and travelers. Democrats refuse — demanding radical immigration concessions or nothing at all.

This is Democrats abusing power while the people they claim to represent pay the price.

Delaware Cannot Afford Four More Years of One-Party Democrat Rule. Our state’s small size is our greatest asset: tight communities, direct access, and the ability to build a powerful, grassroots conservative coalition faster than anywhere else. We are uniting Republicans, Independents, and disillusioned Democrats who are sick of the chaos, the games, and the endangerment of American lives.
The 2026 Midterms are our moment to fight back — and win. Projections say Democrats sweep Delaware? We say not this time. Join the movement that will flip seats, restore accountability, and end one-party rule for good.

Take Action Today – Before Another Close Call Becomes a Tragedy: