Sen. John Kennedy criticized Democratic leadership during an exchange with Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, arguing that an activist faction within the party is driving policy decisions on immigration enforcement and preventing progress on funding the Department of Homeland Security.
The discussion followed recent House votes in which a small number of Democrats sided with Republicans on immigration-related measures.
Heinrich referenced one of those lawmakers and asked Kennedy what the reaction signaled about the broader party dynamic.
“Tom Suozzi was one of seven Democrats who voted with Republicans, and that’s the reception he’s getting at home. What does that tell you?” Heinrich asked.
Kennedy responded by saying the internal balance of power within the Democratic Party has shifted away from more moderate voices.
“It tells me that the Karen wing, the moon wing, Bolshevik wing, whatever you want to call it, Jackie, is firmly in control of the Democratic Party,” Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy, that influence has had direct consequences for federal funding and immigration enforcement.
He said the ongoing dispute over a DHS budget reflects ideological resistance rather than policy disagreements over spending priorities.
“Whether we ever pass a bill, a budget for the Department of Homeland Security will will require our Democratic leadership to embrace adulthood, because that’s what this discussion is all about,” he said.
Kennedy argued that negotiations are no longer centered on fiscal responsibility or operational needs.
“It’s not as it should be, a discussion of the efficient use of taxpayer money and funding funding ICE and DHS,” he said.
Instead, Kennedy said, party leaders are responding to pressure from activists who oppose immigration enforcement.
“It’s just the Karen wing of the Democratic Party wants to defund ICE. They believe in open borders,” he said.
Kennedy linked that stance to earlier efforts to cut funding for local law enforcement. “They also wanted to defund the cops. Defund police,” he said, adding, “We know how that vampire movie turned out.”
He said the same arguments are now being applied to immigration agencies.
“Now they’ve moved on to defunding ICE,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy drew a distinction between Democratic leadership and individual lawmakers he views as more pragmatic.
“The Democrats, the leadership anyway, not people like John Fetterman, but the Democrats are scared of them,” he said.
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The exchange highlighted ongoing divisions in Congress as lawmakers continue to debate border security, immigration enforcement, and funding levels for DHS.
While Republicans have pushed to maintain or increase support for ICE and related agencies, Democratic leadership has faced internal pressure from progressive groups calling for reduced enforcement and policy changes.
As negotiations over DHS funding continue, the dispute remains a key point of contention, with immigration policy again emerging as a central issue dividing the two parties.