Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, faced criticism for his response to recent fatal ICE shootings in Texas and Maine, where agents were not wearing body cameras.

Homan claimed the delay was due to Democratic-led government shutdowns that blocked funding for body cameras, despite Congress allocating $20 million for the initiative in April.He stated that the $120 million budget line for cameras was held hostage by Democrats, and the deployment schedule is now in place.However, critics argue that the partial shutdown delayed the procurement process, even with the $20 million appropriation.Homeland Security echoed similar sentiments after a fatal shooting in Houston, citing the shutdown as a barrier to issuing body cameras.Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also blamed the shutdown for the delay, though the exact impact of the shutdown on procurement remains unclear.

At least nine people have been killed by immigration enforcement officers since Trump’s deportation campaign began, with two deaths occurring in the past week.The controversy highlights tensions between federal agencies, political gridlock, and accountability in law enforcement practices.