Trump orders airport security paid as travellers face hours-long queues

March 27, 2026

President Trump has announced plans to sign an order directing payment to Transportation Security Administration agents amid a partial government shutdown that began in February when Congress failed to reach a budget agreement for the Department of Homeland Security. Over 450 TSA workers have resigned since the shutdown started, and remaining agents—considered essential workers—must continue working without pay, causing severe staffing shortages at airports nationwide. Wait times at security checkpoints have reached record highs in the TSA's 24-year history, with some locations like Houston experiencing delays exceeding four hours and operating at only one-third to half capacity.

Who is affected

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents (approximately 50,000 total)
Air travelers across the United States
Airport operations staff, particularly at major hubs in Houston, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois
Department of Homeland Security employees
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who have been reassigned to airports

What action is being taken

President Trump is signing an order to instruct the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA agents
The Trump administration is sending hundreds of ICE agents to 14 airports in cities including New York, Atlanta, and Houston to help fill staffing gaps
Airports like Houston's George Bush Intercontinental are operating reduced numbers of TSA checkpoints (one-third to 50% capacity)

Why it matters

This situation represents a critical breakdown in essential transportation security infrastructure affecting millions of travelers nationwide. The mass resignations and unpaid work requirements are creating unprecedented security checkpoint delays that disrupt commerce, personal travel, and potentially compromise aviation security. The legal controversy surrounding Trump's proposed payment order raises fundamental questions about executive authority versus congressional appropriation powers, with potential implications for the constitutional separation of powers and future government shutdowns.

What's next

President Trump will sign the order instructing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to pay TSA agents
The payment order could face court challenges for potentially violating the Antideficiency Act
Trump is considering sending the National Guard to airports "if we need to" to assist TSA and ICE
TSA agents will receive full payment once the government reopens and DHS funding is restored, pending congressional agreement on a budget deal

Read full article from source: BBC