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Trump says ICE will be sent to airports as TSA pay stalls

Mar 22nd 2026 · United States

Donald Trump said he would deploy ICE agents to airports if Congress does not fund airport security, as the partial government shutdown leaves TSA workers without pay and airports short staffed.

  • Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would move ICE agents to US airports to handle security if Democrats do not immediately fund airport safety.
  • TSA personnel are set to miss a second full paycheck on 27 March amid a partial government shutdown that began on 14 February.
  • More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the shutdown began and over 10% of officers called in sick on more than half of the past seven days, according to DHS.
  • ICE agents are not specifically trained for airport security, which is the responsibility of the TSA.
  • TSA staffing shortages have disrupted travel at major airports.

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