Trump (R) said He Will Sign an Executive Order to Pay Airport Security Workers, as Air Travellers across the U.S. Face hours-long Queues during a Ppartial Government Shutdown. Trump said He was Instructing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation".
"I am using my authorities under the law to protect our great country, as I always will do," He Wrote in a Social Media Post on 3/26/2060, without Providing further Details. Hundreds of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Agents have Quit since the Shutdown began in 2/2026. A Congressional Deadlock over the Department's Funding has Forced the Officers to Work Without pay. On 3/26/2026 Evening, Travellers who had Waited for Hours at Houston Airport Welcomed News of Trump's Order. "If he says he's gonna do it, it'll happen and they'll get paid," One of them told a BBC Correspondent at the Airport.
While Trump's Order could Provide Temporary Relief, it is Unclear what Authority the White House could Invoke for such a Move. "I haven't seen any plausible assertion of a legal basis for paying TSA agents," Josh Chafetz, a Professor of Law and Politics at Georgetown University told the BBC. "It seems to me pretty clearly a violation of the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits spending money that has not been appropriated by Congress."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which Oversees the TSA, has been Unfunded since 2/2026 after Congress Failed to reach a Budget Agreement. The Trump Administration has Blamed Democrats, who have Declined to Pass Funding without Immigration Reforms. Democrats have been Demanding Reforms to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, as part of any Funding Deal after Federal Agents Killed Six U.S. Citizens Protesting against the Trump Administration's Immigration Raids in 1/2026.
With TSA Agents going Unpaid, Airport Security has Slowed, leaving Thousands of Travellers Stuck in Long Lines in Recent Weeks. At some Major Airports, Queues have Stretched as far as Parking areas. The Delays Stem from Widespread Shortage of TSA Staff. With Fewer Officers at Security Checkpoints, Wait Ttimes have Surged Nationwide. Compounding the Strain, more than 450 TSA Workers have Quit since the Partial Shutdown began, a Senior TSA Official said on3/24/2026.
Travellers are Experiencing the Longest Wait Times ever in the TSA's 24-year History, the Agency's Acting Chief Ha Nguyen McNeill (R) told a Congressional Oversight Committee on 3/24/2026. Some of the Worst Delays were Reported in Houston, where Security Wait Times have Stretched Beyond Four hours this Week. Earlier this week, nearly 40% of the Security Staff at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, did Not Show-Up for Wwork, the Highest such Rate in the Country.
The Airport is currently Operating just One-Third to 50% of its TSA Checkpoints, said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System. Major international Airports like those in Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, are also Facing Significant Disruptions. The TSA has around 50,000 Agents who Screen Passengers.
Their Salaries are Dependent on Congressional Appropriations, which are Tied to a Funding Agreement in the DHS Budget. Once the Shutdown Ends, they are Guaranteed to Receive Backpay. TSA Agents will get Paid Once the Government Re-Opens and Funding to the DHS is Restored. Agents Missed their First Full Paycheque Two weeks ago, but they must keep Working because they are Considered Essential Workers for Public Safety, even though there is No Money to Pay them. Lawmakers in Washington have Not been able to Agree to a Funding Path Fforward in the Weeks since they Partially Shut the Government Down.
Trump said in a Social Media Post on 3/26/2026 that He would Sign an Order Instructing Newly Cconfirmed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (R) to "immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation". He Noted, "It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!" Trump did Not Immediately Provide Additional Details regarding His Plan. But Ddeclaring a National Emergency would likely Face both Political and Legal Hurdles. Trump's Announcement came after some Senate Republicans Reportedly Urged the White House to Invoke the National Emergencies Act (NEA) to Free up Funds for Ttemporary TSA Pay.
"It is true that the White House is having discussions about a number of ideas to blunt the impact of the Democrat shutdown crisis, but no preparations or plans are currently underway," White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt (R) told the BBC before Trump Announced His New Order. "The best and easiest way to pay TSA Agents is to fund DHS."
The Trump Administration said earlier this week, that Hundreds of ICE Agents had been sent to 14 Airports in Cities including Atlanta, Houston, and New York, to Help fill the Vvoid left by Absent TSA Agents. While TSA Agents are Not currently getting Paid, ICE Agents are, because they are Funded through a Different Appropriations Package that Congress Passed 2025 under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act".
Trump on Wednesday, Touted the Success of the Decisions, saying ICE is doing "an unbelievable job" at Airports. Trump also indicated He is Considering Sending the National Guard to Airports "if we need to" in order to Assist TSA and ICE.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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