Overview
- Trump said on Truth Social he would move ICE agents to airports to handle security and conduct arrests, singling out immigrants from Somalia and criticizing Minnesota leaders.
- ICE personnel are not trained for TSA screening duties, and officials have not explained how agents would be integrated into airport security operations.
- Elon Musk offered to cover TSA salaries during the impasse, though it is unclear whether the government can legally accept private payments for federal employees.
- TSA absenteeism has reached about 10% on some days, at least 360-plus officers have resigned since mid-February, and a second missed paycheck looms on March 27.
- The Senate remains deadlocked over DHS funding, with Democrats pushing conditions on immigration enforcement and some lawmakers seeking standalone TSA funding as major hubs report multi-hour waits.