Washington

Democrat Shutdown Throws Airports Into Chaos

The Left's refusal to fund the government is forcing TSA workers to go without pay.

Mar 25, 2026

Democrat Shutdown Throws Airports Into Chaos

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has entered its sixth week, with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages creating chaos at airports across the country.

Last week, TSA agents missed their first full paychecks. Some are still reporting to work with the promise of back pay once the shutdown ends, but others can’t or won’t go without income. Hundreds have left the agency in the past month, and more have simply stopped showing up.

In an attempt to alleviate the crisis, President Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to major airports, while congressional negotiations remain stalled over Democrats' refusal to fund ICE without significant reforms.

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Mike Tucker7 months ago

100% it's a great idea. Our government needs to fix this. The democrats need to remember ICE is funded through 2027 and realize that Tom Homan stopped the raids as they were being conducted. But most importantly, our TSA Officers must get paid; these people work their tails off and make barely enough to support a small family on.

Bonnie Hissom7 months ago

What else can be done? Democrat leaders, wait that’s a misnomer. None of them are actually leading. They seem to have lost their collective minds. Obviously as a group they hate our country. So why are they there? To fill their pockets ? Yes!

Joseph Michelotti7 months ago

Actually, I think John Fetterman is the only Democrat doing any leading.

Stuart Denny7 months ago

Yep, Poetic justice for the Dems.

James G.7 months ago

Nice! I went all 'poetic' with my multi-line post, and in just 6 words you said everything I was thinking. Poetic Justice indeed.

Gerrye Fielden7 months ago

GO TRUMP! STAND GROUND FOR AMERICA!

Miles Massey7 months ago

Any time the Democrats do something underhanded and hateful, the government needs to call in ICE ... that should keep them plenty busy.

Photo Man7 months ago

"Is it a good idea to deploy ICE agents to America’s airports?" Yes. Law & order is needed there, too, in addition to efficiency of moving people timely through the system. Of course, the Obstructionist party do not care anything about their constituents life disruptions they have to live daily. I wonder how much delay those same politicians face with their air travels to and from The Swamp.

KD Brandt7 months ago

I read that there is a bill introduced that says politicians can not get special treatment and skip the lines. Also, Delta is not allowing special treatment for them right now, per the CEO as they are impacted the most as their hub is in Atlanta! Good for them. If politicians had to follow all the same rules and laws and live like the rest of us, we might have a better Country. All those perks and dodges, not to mention the grift make them power hungry where they do not, under any circumstances want to give that up! Country be damned.

Salvatore Quasarano7 months ago

Yes let the American public see that ICE officers are not the blood thirsty department the left is telling everyone it is!!!!!

J Y7 months ago

The Democratic Party as it stands are a bunch of whining bullies. What happened to being “PC”? Oh yeah, that’s only for conservatives and Republicans. Please send in ICE and make a deal with Musk to get our TSA people paid. Shut down the Democratic Party.

Don G7 months ago

Yes. No mask. Crowd control and support roles required for airport operations and security. Let TSA trained employees do the luggage and personal screening.

David Hooten7 months ago

Yes, it helps to reduce lines a bit. The Dems are just plain STUPID in most of their demands. I really would like to see Elon Musk pay the TSA folks and take some of the wind out of the Dems sails (as if they hade any). Anything to reduce wait times and help prevent chaos is a great idea.

JR HAAAWK7 months ago

Plus the Ice Agents will be needed to assist all airline personnel when passengers get unruly due to standing in long lines for hours on end and fights can break out because passengers are at their wits end and are exhausted! I know, as I was a former flight attendant! This insanity must be resolved SOON!

Roger Kirkpatrick7 months ago

Absolutely great idea!

Fred Scott7 months ago

Certainly, people will realize these young men and women of ICE are just protecting us from the Democratic madness! The radical left can only succeed if it can cause mayhem in our nation!

Lauren Sauvageot 7 months ago

If ICE agents can help TSA at airports, GOOD. Demonrats created this chaos, like always and dont care about American citizens.

Karl Hermansen7 months ago

We should triple the size of ICE and get a grip on what is happening to our country. The New Jersey governor is meeting with Hamas? Yeah, well, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave is about to become Lunch for Mohammed if we don't get a grip on things.

Gail Custer7 months ago

Once again we see who actually cares about the American people, President Trump by sending ICE to help alleviate the situation at the airports and kudos to those TSA employees that continue to show up without pay! Gail Custer

Jim Powers7 months ago

Something has to be done to keep airports open and free of chaos. Maybe they'll get lucky and find a few illegals while they are there.

Terry McCall7 months ago

Yes, let the Dems go down from a disease of their own making.

william calams7 months ago

What better place to utilize Immigration and Customs Enforcement than an Airport. I fully support the move and we should actually make it permanent.

Michael H.7 months ago

I'm glad to see ICE working at the airports. It can serve as a double duty watching for illegals as they help with the lines.

Bernie Peer7 months ago

Trump is smart! What a great idea. I hope ICE is ok with it.

Bob Tasker7 months ago

It is a very good idea to deploy ICE agents to airports. What should be done is to make all members of congress stand in the same lines as everyone else. Then see how long the de-funding last. Bob Tasker

Linda W7 months ago

yes

Laney B7 months ago

Forgive me for answering a question with a question: are any leftist news outlets reporting the truth, or are all spinning this to be Republicans' fault?

James G.7 months ago

Nice! A double-entendre, squared. Lol You answered your own two questions, with an answer that is a question in and of itself. I like it.

Than Johnson7 months ago

Yes. A assistance to reducing lines without reducing oversight of screening is helpful. Having ICE duties match their training is important. Hopefully both sides in Senate compromise on certain areas and fund DHS. Than

Chris Carbott7 months ago

It's a BRILLIANT idea to blunt the Democrat-created pain at the airport, even though it may slow efforts to remove illegals from the country.