Mike Haridopolos

Democrats "play games every day with other people's lives" when it comes to national security, Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday.

Appearing on "Wake Up America Early," Haridopolos blasted Democrats over the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding fight while also defending Republican-led redistricting efforts in states such as Tennessee and Alabama.

He criticized Democrats over the debate concerning reconciliation and DHS funding, accusing the Senate minority of jeopardizing national security amid escalating global threats and the ongoing border crisis.

"We're in a conflict with Iran. Ten million people entered the country illegally," Haridopolos told host Alex Kraemer. "They don't want border security, or they don't want ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents removing violent or sexual offenders. It's nonsensical."

The House has repeatedly passed DHS funding measures, but Senate negotiations stalled earlier this year, contributing to the longest DHS shutdown in U.S. history.

More than 1,100 Transportation Security Administration workers reportedly left their jobs during the standoff as airport disruptions mounted.

Haridopolos said Republicans have remained focused on funding border enforcement and protecting Americans, while Democrats continue engaging in political theater.

"We in the House fully funded DHS because we believe the primary responsibility of government is to protect your life and property," he said.

"Unfortunately, the Democrats play games every day with other people's lives. I just find it unacceptable."

Haridopolos argued Democrats have spent decades aggressively drawing congressional maps to benefit their party, pointing to states including Illinois and Virginia as examples of partisan gerrymandering.

"This has been a game that the Democrats have played forever," Haridopolos said. "Look at the Northeast — not a single Republican in Congress. Look at the maps in Illinois and the recent maps in Virginia."

The Florida Republican contrasted those states with Florida's congressional map, which he said keeps counties and cities together whenever possible. He also noted Florida's dramatic political shift under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"There were 400,000 more registered Democrats back then," Haridopolos said of 2018. "Today, there are 1.5 million more registered Republicans because people said the Free State of Florida is where we want to live."

The comments come as Tennessee and Alabama prepare special legislative sessions to revisit congressional district maps following renewed scrutiny of racially driven gerrymandering.

Republicans across the country have argued courts are increasingly rejecting race-based district lines in favor of maps focused on geographic and community boundaries.

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