U.S. News
TSA Officers Face Shutdown Strain as Relief Moves Forward
Clear Facts
- Border czar Tom Homan condemned D.C. lawmakers for taking paid vacations while DHS staff struggle without paychecks.
- The funding deadlock has forced TSA officers and other security personnel to work without compensation for over six weeks.
- President Trump issued a memorandum to bypass the stalemate and begin paying TSA employees directly this week.
White House border czar Tom Homan criticized the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding deadlock during a Sunday interview. He highlighted the severe financial strain on TSA officers who cannot pay rent or feed families while Congress remains on vacation.
Homan specifically targeted the hypocrisy of lawmakers receiving pay while frontline enforcement officers are ignored. He noted that the shutdown has disrupted airport operations and left essential personnel across various DHS agencies without their earned wages.
“These TSA officers are struggling. They can’t feed their families or pay their rent.”
“Your heart goes out to them because they’re sitting there right now working very hard and not being paid by members of Congress [who are] now on vacation, getting paid. It’s ridiculous.”
The border czar emphasized that funding for TSA is only a partial solution to the broader security crisis. He argued that the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and other national security agents remain unpaid due to the legislative impasse.
“Paying TSA agents doesn’t pay the rest of the Department of Homeland Security.”
“You got the Coast Guard, you got the men and women [of the] Secret Service, you got a lot of people working for Homeland Security [who] aren’t getting paid.”
To mitigate the staffing crunch, the administration has deployed ICE agents to airports to assist with security duties and identification checks. This move aims to allow remaining TSA personnel to focus exclusively on screening operations while lines remain long.
“We’re plugging other security holes. We want to keep the airport safe.”
Homan reported that the presence of ICE agents has already led to decreased wait times at several major airports. Despite critics questioning the deployment, administration officials confirm that agents are now helping manage identification and exit-lane coverage.
“The wait lines have decreased. I was in Houston, wait lines decreased about half.”
President Trump signed a memorandum on Friday to ensure TSA employees begin receiving pay as soon as Monday or Tuesday. Homan expressed relief that the administration is taking action where Congress has failed to lead.
“I’m just glad that President Trump is able to pay the TSA agents. At least that’s a start.”
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