Monday morning news: February 16, 2026

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DHS shutdown » The Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues with no end in sight.

Democrats continue to deny funding as they demand changes to immigration enforcement. Republicans agreed to some of those demands, but said others would hinder or endanger enforcement agents.

Border czar Tom Homan said the administration will not require agents to remove masks or display ID numbers. He said that would open agents up to personal targeting.

Republican Congressman Tom Cole said of Democrats:

COLE:  What they've managed to do is shut down or make sure the Secret Service isn't paid, uh, make sure TSA and air traffic controllers don't get paid, make sure the Coast Guard doesn't get paid. Make sure that we don't have FEMA to take care of any disaster relief.

But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats intend to—quote “hold the line.”

JEFFRIES:  And it's on Republicans if the Coast Guard shuts down, if FEMA is shut down, and if TSA is shut down.

Congress won't return until next Monday, meaning Homeland Security almost certainly will not be funded anytime this week.

Initial meeting of Board of Peace » President Trump says members of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion to rebuild Gaza, and will commit thousands of personnel to help provide security and stabilize police forces for the territory.

Trump said Sunday that the pledges will be formally announced when members of the board gather for their first meeting Thursday in Washington.

Rubio Munich remarks / Eastern Europe » Speaking in Germany over the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European leaders that America wants to strengthen its friendship with its largest ally. But he also lamented what the Trump administration sees as Western decline in Europe.

RUBIO:  We do not want our allies to be weak, because that makes us weaker. We want allies who can defend themselves so that no adversary will ever be tempted to test our collective strength.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio pushed the Trump administration's priorities. He talked about controlling mass migration, building stronger economies, and boosting military strength.

And on the military component, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that message. He told fellow leaders that Europe must be ready to stand on its own two feet when it comes to defense.

Starmer also announced the UK will send its carrier strike group to the Arctic this year.

EU foreign policy chief on civilization erasure » But the EU’s Foreign Policy chief pushed back on Rubio’s criticisms.

Kaja Kallas rejected the notion that immigration policies and declining birth rates have Europe on the decline.

KALLAS: Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilization erasure. In fact, people still want to join our club.  

Kallas said when visiting Canada last year, she was told that over 40% of Canadians have an interest in joining the European Union. And she said there is a long waiting list to join the EU.

She also said she rejects what she called European bashing.

Storm system » A powerful winter storm is slamming California this week, bringing damaging winds and heavy snow to mountain areas.

Jacob Spender with the National Weather Service:

SPENDER:  If you are up in the higher elevations at the highest elevations within the Sierra, the coastal range in those areas like the Southern Cascades as well, um, we're looking at four to eight feet.

He said lower elevations could see a foot of snow along with showers and thunderstorms in the valley.

Meantime, a strong storm system is bringing tornado watches and widespread damage across the Southeast just as the Northeast starts to warm up. On Sunday, the National Weather Service reported some of the worst damage near Lake Charles, Louisiana.

High winds overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float. They also damaged an airport jet bridge and knocked an awning into power lines. 

I'm Kent Covington.

And straight ahead: The Supreme Court takes up a fight over retirement math. And later, the WORLD History Book.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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