As the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown—now in its second month since starting February 14—affects unpaid TSA workers and causes airport chaos, President Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents unless Democrats fund the agency. Elon Musk offers to cover TSA salaries amid the impasse.
The partial DHS shutdown, which began February 14, 2026, over congressional disputes tying funding to immigration reforms, has now stretched into its second month as of March 21. This is the third such lapse in 15 months, following a prior 43-day shutdown.
Approximately 50,000 essential TSA officers continue working without pay, leading to staffing shortages, over 300 resignations (per CBS News), and surging security lines: 120 minutes in Houston, 70 in Atlanta, 46 at New York's LaGuardia (CNN data). Footage shows massive backups and temporary checkpoint closures at hubs like Philadelphia and Houston.
TSA workers face dire circumstances, including evictions, missed medical payments, sleeping in cars, gig work, food banks, and plasma donations (DHS/union reports). Airports have launched food drives and pantries in Atlanta, Seattle-Tacoma, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Officers risk discipline for not reporting.
From Palm Beach, Florida, President Trump posted on Truth Social: "If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports... ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!" He threatened Monday deployment for arrests, targeting those from Somalia and blaming Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Billionaire Elon Musk posted on X: "I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse." The White House has not commented, amid legal questions on private federal payments.
Republicans seek straightforward DHS funding (including TSA), while Democrats demand immigration enforcement changes. ICE and CBP remain operational via separate funding.
