Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents at US airports if Democrats do not agree to fund DHS

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!” the president wrote on Truth Social. “I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”

Partial government shutdown led to staff shortages at airport

A partial government shutdown, ongoing since February 2026, has caused staff shortages at the airport security, leading to delays and wait times expected to remain unpredictable over the weekend.

Lawmakers are trying to reach an agreement to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. However, a solution is still uncertain despite efforts to finalise a deal before the spring recess of the Congress, the CNN reported.

‘Unclear what role ICE agents would play without training’

It is unclear what role ICE agents would play, as they are not trained in airport security screening. TSA staff usually undergo months of training, while airline workers and private security teams may assist with managing queues and exit points, says Reuters.

“What it takes to be a TSA officer, a certified officer, to be able to do screening takes weeks and months to do,” George Borek, an Atlanta TSA officer and union steward, told CNN. “The president can have them come there but I don’t see how that helps us in getting through this time period.”

TSA officers have called in sick and the shortage of security agents has disrupted travel at major airports. Over 10% of TSA officers ​called ​in sick on more than half of the past seven days, DHS said in ⁠a statement on Saturday. More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial shutdown began on February 14, DHS said, adding that resignations and call-outs are expected to “significantly increase” as the shutdown drags on.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, on Saturday offered to ⁠cover TSA paychecks “during this funding impasse that ‌is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.