White House Warns of Government Shutdown Risk After Minneapolis Tensions

• US Government Shutdown Risk Reappears
• Minneapolis Case Strains Congress
• Government Shutdown Looms

According to the EFE news agency, the White House urged lawmakers on Monday to avoid a new federal government shutdown.

The appeal comes amid political tensions following the death of a man in Minneapolis at the hands of immigration agents.

Officials warned that a shutdown would have serious consequences, especially as much of the country is dealing with the effects of a severe winter storm.

The administration stressed the need to approve a budget package that has already been negotiated on a bipartisan basis.

Budget at Risk Due to Political Dispute

The White House calls for avoiding a new federal shutdown after what happened in Minneapolis. https://t.co/YfISUbeB32

— Agencia NDS (@agenciaNDS) January 26, 2026

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration supports the bipartisan work already completed to advance the appropriations package.

Leavitt stated that the government’s goal is for the package to be approved without further delays.

Congress has until midnight on January 30 to pass the budget.

These funds would allow the federal government to remain operational.

However, after what occurred in Minneapolis, Democratic senators announced they will not support the bill.

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The opposition focuses on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the agency responsible for immigration policy in the United States.

If the budget is not approved, the government would face a new shutdown starting next Saturday.

Leavitt argued that the situation in Minneapolis should not affect government funding.

She emphasized that the resources under discussion are meant to serve the American people.

The White House reiterated its call for the Senate to move forward with approval of the budget package.

The Minneapolis Crisis and Political Criticism

Federal agents in Minneapolis wrestled Alex Pretti to the ground and secured the handgun he was carrying moments before shooting him multiple times, according to a Washington Post analysis of video footage.

Read more: https://t.co/gs55sapKJH pic.twitter.com/0LwulTgqLy

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 25, 2026

The controversy erupted after an immigration operation carried out two days ago in Minneapolis.

During the operation, immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti.

Pretti was a 37-year-old nurse.

The operation was intended to capture an undocumented immigrant.

This was the second incident of this type in less than three weeks in the city.

On January 7, another person died under similar circumstances.

In that case, a woman identified as Renee Good died after being shot by a federal officer.

Both incidents have sparked strong criticism of federal authorities.

The criticism has come from both the Democratic Party and sectors of the Republican Party.

The Minneapolis case has become a major point of tension within the budget debate.

Leavitt insisted that these events should not block the approval of essential funding.

The White House aims to prevent the political dispute from leading to an administrative shutdown.

Winter Storm Worsens the Situation

The call to avoid a shutdown comes as the country faces the impact of a powerful winter storm.

The weather system has affected nearly two-thirds of the nation.

Severe conditions have caused heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.

More than 600,000 households remain without electricity.

Transportation has also been heavily disrupted.

On Monday, nearly 6,000 flights were canceled nationwide.

In addition, more than 18,000 flights experienced delays at airports across the country.

The White House highlighted that the budget package includes funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Leavitt stressed the importance of keeping FEMA funded during the ongoing storm.

She warned that cutting off these resources would directly affect emergency response efforts.

In November, Democrats and Republicans approved temporary funding measures.

These allowed the government to continue operating until next Friday.

That agreement followed a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in US history.

Many observers believe a negotiated solution before January 30 is unlikely.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Congress remained closed on Monday due to the winter storm.