Image: from Sabria Chowdhury Balland X@SabriaCBalland
By Open Chronicle News Desk
WASHINGTON – The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight on Saturday, February 1, 2026, after a last-minute funding deal struck between President Donald Trump and Senate Democrats failed to reach the House of Representatives in time.
While the Senate passed a massive funding package in a rare 71–29 bipartisan vote on Friday, the House had already adjourned for the weekend. Because the Senate amended the original bill to separate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding from other agencies, the House must vote on the new version before it can be signed into law.
The Catalyst: The Alex Pretti Shooting
The legislative impasse was triggered by the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24.
Initial reports from the Trump administration claimed Pretti was an “armed instigator” who approached officers aggressively. However, multiple bystander videos and a preliminary DHS review shared with Congress tell a different story:
-
Evidence: Video analysis by major news outlets concluded Pretti was holding a cell phone, not a weapon, when he was tackled.
-
The Conflict: Pretti was reportedly attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground by agents.
-
The Shooting: While Pretti was a lawful gun owner, reports indicate agents had already secured his firearm and pinned him to the ground before he was shot multiple times in the back.
This was the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in January, following the death of protester Renee Good on January 7. The Justice Department opened a formal civil rights investigation into the Pretti case on Friday.
The “Two-Week” Compromise
To avoid a total government collapse, President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to a “split” funding strategy:
-
General Funding: Five major appropriations bills will fund the vast majority of the government (Defense, Education, HHS, etc.) through September 2026.
-
DHS Stopgap: Funding for the Department of Homeland Security will only be extended for two weeks (until February 13).
Democrats are using this 14-day window to demand strict new “guardrails” on immigration enforcement, including:
-
Mandatory body cameras and visible identification for all agents.
-
A ban on masked federal agents and “roving patrols.”
-
Strict requirements for judicial warrants and coordination with local police.
“We need to rein in ICE and end the violence. That means masks off, cameras on, and no secret police.” — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Current Impact and Next Steps
Unlike the 43-day “Full Shutdown” in late 2025, this lapse is expected to be short-lived.
-
Who is affected? Approximately 75% of federal operations are technically without funding today, including the departments of Transportation, Education, and Defense.
-
Essential Services: Border Patrol, TSA, and active-duty military remain on duty but may face pay delays if the House does not act quickly.
-
The Timeline: The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to session on Monday, February 2. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has indicated the House will move “as quickly as possible” to approve the Senate’s deal.