WATCH: Cornyn tears into Dems for holding DHS 'hostage' and failing the No. 1 'non-negotiable' for America

By Fox News · Fox News

Longtime Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn accused Democrats of jeopardizing American lives amid heightened threats by supporting sanctuary policies and allowing the Department of Homeland Security to remain unfunded. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cornyn decried the Democrats, saying, "This is just another manifestation of the sort of defund police mentality on the left." The comments come amid heightened national concern over public safety threats following what appeared to be another attempted assassination targeting President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday. There is also widespread concern over violent crimes involving illegal immigrants in communities across the country. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is experiencing the longest funding lapse in its history, further straining its ability to respond to threats. "We know there are dangerous people here," he said. "People with criminal records, and others who are a threat to public safety. And if there's one job that is number one, non-negotiable, when it comes to our citizens, it's public safety." RO KHANNA SAYS DHS MUST BE FUNDED AFTER PRESSED ON WHCD SHOOTING FALLOUT Cornyn, one of the most senior members of the Senate who chairs the Border Security and Immigration Subcommittee, introduced the Sanctuary City Elimination Act last week to ensure local police comply with ICE detainers by barring sanctuary cities from accessing federal funding. Speaking with Fox News Digital, Cornyn also accused Democrats of holding DHS "hostage" to "avoid funding immigration enforcement ." He added that "this is just another manifestation of the sort of defund police mentality on the left, specifically now in the context of illegal immigration." Cornyn ripped into Democrats, pointing to deaths such as that of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, a U.S. citizen living in Houston who was killed by two illegal immigrants during the Biden administration in 2024. "Folks…