{"id":10156,"date":"2026-02-15T16:43:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T16:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/02\/15\/trump-administration-latest-rubio-calls-on-europe-to-reduce-dependence-on-us-dhs-shutdown-continues-cnn\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T16:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T16:43:05","slug":"trump-administration-latest-rubio-calls-on-europe-to-reduce-dependence-on-us-dhs-shutdown-continues-cnn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/02\/15\/trump-administration-latest-rubio-calls-on-europe-to-reduce-dependence-on-us-dhs-shutdown-continues-cnn\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump administration latest: Rubio calls on Europe to reduce dependence on US, DHS shutdown continues – CNN"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Immigration and Customs Enforcement “rogue, out of control” in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” in which he outlined his proposals for reforms to the agency in a bid to end the shutdown. <\/p>\n

” data-duration=”01:58″ data-source-html=” \u2022 Source: CNN<\/a> <\/span>” data-fave-thumbnails=”{“big”: { “uri”: “https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/jake-schumer-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill” }, “small”: { “uri”: “https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/jake-schumer-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill” } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=”<\/p>\n

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By Meg Wagner<\/span>, CNN <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Updated 11:41 AM EST, Sun February 15, 2026 <\/div>\n

” data-check-event-based-preview data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id data-publish-date=”2026-02-15T15:43:26.403Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url data-branding-key data-video-slug=”schumer-dhs-shutdown” data-first-publish-slug=”schumer-dhs-shutdown” data-video-tags data-breakpoints=”{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}” data-display-video-cover=”true” data-details data-track-zone=”top” data-sticky-anchor-pos=”bottom” data-tabcontent=”Content”> <\/p>\n

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Immigration and Customs Enforcement “rogue, out of control” in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” in which he outlined his proposals for reforms to the agency in a bid to end the shutdown. <\/p>\n

” data-check-event-based-preview data-network-id data-publish-date=”2026-02-15T15:43:26.403Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url data-branding-key data-video-slug=”schumer-dhs-shutdown” data-first-publish-slug=”schumer-dhs-shutdown” data-video-tags> \"Jake<\/picture> <\/div>\n

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Senate Minority Leader Schumer calls ICE “rogue, out of control” amidst DHS shutdown <\/p>\n

01:58 <\/span> \u2022 Source: CNN<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Senate Minority Leader Schumer calls ICE “rogue, out of control” amidst DHS shutdown<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

01:58 <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u2022 DHS shutdown: <\/strong>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described ICE as a \u201crogue force\u201d on CNN\u2019s \u201cState of the Union,\u201d and called on Republicans to meet Democrats\u2019 demands to rein in immigration enforcement agencies. His comments came after DHS shut down this weekend<\/a> over the bitter policy fight<\/a> on immigration reforms. The funding lapse will not affect nationwide ICE enforcement<\/a>, border czar Tom Homan said. <\/p>\n

\u2022 Rubio in Europe:<\/strong> Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the White House wants Europe to reduce its dependence on American power and that Washington is \u201cnot asking Europe to be a vassal.\u201d<\/a> Rubio was speaking in Slovakia<\/a>, a day after he offered some reassurance<\/a> to\u202funeasy European leaders at the Munich Security Conference. <\/p>\n

\u2022 Iran talks: <\/strong>Rubio also said President Donald Trump prefers diplomacy in dealing with Iran<\/a> and the administration is currently focused on negotiations. The US is planning to meet with Iranian officials<\/a> again on Tuesday in Geneva, sources tell CNN. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says he is “worried” about the Trump Administration’s plans for the midterms but says Democratic governors are ready to “stand up” in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.” <\/p>\n

” data-duration=”01:52″ data-source-html=” \u2022 Source: CNN<\/a> <\/span>” data-fave-thumbnails=”{“big”: { “uri”: “https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/tapper-beshear-split.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill” }, “small”: { “uri”: “https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/tapper-beshear-split.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill” } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=”<\/p>\n

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By Fadel Allassan<\/span>, CNN <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

” data-timestamp-html=”<\/p>\n

Updated 11:41 AM EST, Sun February 15, 2026 <\/div>\n

” data-check-event-based-preview data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id data-publish-date=”2026-02-15T14:55:39.138Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url data-branding-key data-video-slug=”kentucky-governor-beshear-trump-administration-midterm-elections” data-first-publish-slug=”kentucky-governor-beshear-trump-administration-midterm-elections” data-video-tags data-breakpoints=”{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}” data-display-video-cover=”true” data-details> <\/p>\n

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says he is “worried” about the Trump Administration’s plans for the midterms but says Democratic governors are ready to “stand up” in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.” <\/p>\n

” data-check-event-based-preview data-network-id data-publish-date=”2026-02-15T14:55:39.138Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url data-branding-key data-video-slug=”kentucky-governor-beshear-trump-administration-midterm-elections” data-first-publish-slug=”kentucky-governor-beshear-trump-administration-midterm-elections” data-video-tags> \"Tapper<\/picture> <\/div>\n

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Kentucky Governor Beshear pushes back against Trump Administration midterm election plans <\/p>\n

01:52 <\/span> \u2022 Source: CNN<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kentucky Governor Beshear pushes back against Trump Administration midterm election plans<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

01:52 <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky today described President Donald Trump\u2019s messaging on the 2026 midterm elections as \u201canti-democracy.\u201d <\/p>\n

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has amped up calls for measures he\u2019s said would ensure election integrity and security. The FBI searched an elections office in Fulton County, Georgia, and Republicans introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in Congress. <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it is my job to be worried,\u201d Beshear told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper on \u201cState of the Union\u201d when asked if he\u2019s concerned about the upcoming elections. <\/p>\n

President Donald Trump earlier this month called on Republicans<\/a> to \u201cnationalize the voting,\u201d telling Dan Bongino, the former deputy director of the FBI, in a podcast that \u201cRepublicans should say, we want to take over, we should take over the voting, the voting in at least many, 15 places.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThe president talking about, not federalizing elections, he first said Republicans should take over elections in certain states. That is anti-democracy,\u201d Beshear added. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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President Donald Trump said today that his newly formed \u201cBoard of Peace\u201d will unveil a multibillion-dollar humanitarian and reconstruction package for Gaza, along with a major international security commitment at its inaugural meeting in Washington set for Thursday of this week. <\/p>\n

The gathering marks the first formal meeting of the \u201cBoard of Peace,\u201d as the multinational organization tasked with resolving global conflicts faces lingering questions about its broader mission. <\/p>\n

Trump framed the initiative as a turning point for Gaza\u2019s future, while also underscoring a firm condition directed at Hamas. <\/p>\n

\u201cVery importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization. The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman,\u201d Trump wrote. <\/p>\n

The US sent invitations for the February 19 event earlier this month. It is slated to be held at the US Institute of Peace, which Trump has renamed after himself. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Sen.<\/picture> <\/div>\n

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons said today there are bipartisan efforts underway to negotiate reforms in the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s immigration enforcement operations, insisting that lawmakers should be able to make progress on putting new standards into law \u201csoon.\u201d <\/p>\n

Coons\u2019 comments come as Democrats continue their push for reforms amid a partial government shutdown that began on Friday. Lawmakers left town Thursday without any agreement on how to fund DHS, but Coons appeared optimistic today about finding a path forward towards resolving the dispute. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t a big government shutdown. It is a hopefully, temporary disagreement over the standards of conduct of the officers who operate under the Department of Homeland Security,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky said he does not plan to attend the annual bipartisan governor meeting at the White House, after confusion about whether all Democratic governors are invited<\/a>. <\/p>\n

CNN previously reported that National Governors Association Chair GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma told members the organization would no longer facilitate the White House meeting, citing a decision to only invite Republicans and to exclude from a White House dinner two governors who have publicly quarreled with Trump: Maryland\u2019s Wes Moore, who co-chairs the NGA with Stitt, and Colorado\u2019s Jared Polis. <\/p>\n

The NGA then said the meeting<\/a> was back on after invitations were extended to all of its members. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has maintained that invitations were sent to all governors all while criticizing some Democratic governors and Stitt. <\/p>\n

Beshear did not directly respond to comments asking to clarify if all governors are now invited. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis meeting is an annual bipartisan tradition where we try to push our differences aside and talk about how we move forward in those areas, yet the president has just turned it into drama, inviting and disinviting others,\u201d Beshear told CNN\u2019s Tapper. \u201cIt no longer looks like it\u2019s going to be productive at all.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just touched down in Budapest, Hungary, as part of his two-day trip to Central Europe, following a visit to Slovakia. <\/p>\n

Earlier today, Rubio met with Slovakia\u2019s Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava. You can take a look back<\/a> here at what Rubio and Fico said during a joint press conference. <\/p>\n

He departed the city a short while ago, traveling to Budapest by plane. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Republican Rep. Thomas Massie excoriated President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their reticence to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. <\/p>\n

Massie has been a thorn in Trump\u2019s side in large part because of his push to compel the Department of Justice to release the files, with the president regularly insulting the lawmaker on social media. <\/p>\n

\u201cDonald Trump told us that even though he had dinner with these kinds of people in New York City and West Palm Beach that he would be transparent. But he\u2019s not. He\u2019s still in with the Epstein class. This is the Epstein administration,\u201d Massie said on ABC\u2019s \u201cThis Week.\u201d <\/p>\n

Massie, who wrote the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, questioned Bondi during a hearing on Capitol Hill over the Department of Justice\u2019s failure to release all the files by the deadline Congress outlined and their initial redaction of some of the names associated with Epstein. Massie said he has no confidence in the attorney general after her appearance. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Pam Bondi has confidence in Pam Bondi. She wasn\u2019t confident enough to engage in anything but name calling in a hearing and so no, I don\u2019t have confidence in her. She hasn\u2019t got any sort of accountability there at the DOJ,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"ICE<\/picture> <\/div>\n

Border Czar Tom Homan said the lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security after Congress failed to pass a funding measure by Friday\u2019s deadline will not impact immigration operations nationwide. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe ICE officers won\u2019t be getting paid, but they\u2019re getting used to that, seems like. So no,\u201d Homan said to CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper on \u201cState of the Union.\u201d <\/p>\n

The partial government shutdown comes amid a bitter standoff over federal immigration enforcement, with Senate Democrats demanding reforms to rein in agencies in exchange for their support of a funding package. <\/p>\n

Context: <\/strong>More than 90% of DHS\u2019 272,000 employees will continue working<\/a> during the lapse, according to the agency\u2019s September shutdown plan covering the first five days of an impasse. More than 93% of ICE and CBP workers will remain on the job. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Border<\/picture> <\/div>\n

White House border czar Tom Homan said he increased the presence of internal affairs officers in Minnesota since arriving in the Twin Cities to address misconduct allegations among immigration enforcement officers, noting the claims are under investigation as the surge of immigration officers winds down. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn any instance where there have been allegations of misconduct or working outside the policy, it has been referred to internal affairs,\u201d Homan told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper on \u201cState of the Union.\u201d <\/p>\n

Asked whether there are officials within the administration who may undermine the credibility of the Department of Homeland Security amid increased scrutiny, Homan pointed to the ongoing internal investigations but dismissed division. <\/p>\n

Homan said he doesn\u2019t agree with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem \u201con everything,\u201d but added that the pair regularly have discussions, and he described the administration\u2019s efforts as \u201cone team one fight.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have discussions and different opinions. That\u2019s what makes it a strong team. We bring different ideas to the table and then agree on a mission,\u201d Homan said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to divide this administration\u2026. I\u2019m going to just keep doing what the president wants me to do as the border czar,\u201d Homan added. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture> <\/div>\n

Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin indicated little movement on the shutdown talks as he held to his position and blamed Democrats for the lapse in funding to the Department of Homeland Security. <\/p>\n

Mullin said while he supports making ICE agents wear body cameras, he is against visible identification or them not wearing masks \u2013 two conditions Democrats have required to fund the department along with the use of judicial warrants. <\/p>\n

He also questioned the efficacy of the shutdown as it only applies to non-ICE parts of the Department of Homeland Security including FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re shutting down thousands of workers for nothing,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"US<\/picture> <\/div>\n

We\u2019ve been bringing you updates from the joint press conference held by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, which ended a short while ago. <\/p>\n

The pair discussed a wide range of topics, including Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, the US\u2019 relationship with Iran and Syria and NATO. <\/p>\n

Catch up on what was said in the press conference below:<\/em> <\/p>\n

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