President Donald Trump is gearing up to deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term, scheduled for February 24, amid a partial government shutdown, raising concerns among some Republicans. The shutdown, triggered by a standoff over immigration enforcement funding with Democrats, has left the Department of Homeland Security without appropriations, affecting various agencies including TSA and FEMA.

Behind closed doors, several administration officials and top Capitol Hill Republicans are reportedly worried about the timing of the address. According to six anonymous sources, there is unease about the president presenting a message of a strong union while a significant sector of the federal government remains inactive. "It doesn't exactly scream ‘a functioning GOP trifecta,'" one House Republican said, highlighting the awkward juxtaposition.

Despite these concerns, there is currently no discussion of postponing the State of the Union, a senior White House official confirmed. This decision follows a precedent from 2019 when President Trump, after a prolonged dispute with then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, delayed his address during a similar government shutdown.

The ongoing shutdown is expected to continue at least until the week of Trump’s address, with negotiations between the White House and Senate Democrats making little headway. Lawmakers, who left Washington for a week-long recess, are set to return just a day before the scheduled speech.

Amid these challenges, Republican leaders are hopeful Trump will utilize the prime time spotlight to refocus public attention on the GOP's economic achievements rather than the recent negative headlines, which include federal immigration agents' involvement in fatal shootings and controversies surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case files.

Additionally, some Republicans see an opportunity to shift blame to Democrats for the DHS funding lapse, potentially impacting public perception as mid-term elections approach. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a recent interview, accused Democrats of pushing the government towards a shutdown for "political and partisan reasons."

The atmosphere at the upcoming address could also be tense, as Senate Democrats have discussed possibly boycotting the event, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has hinted at silent protests or alternative programming by Democrats. The decorum during such addresses has been a growing concern, with instances of heckling and disruptions becoming more common.

As the date approaches, the political and practical implications of delivering a State of the Union amidst a government shutdown are becoming increasingly significant, putting additional pressure on an already polarized Capitol Hill.