US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports if Democrats don’t approve funding, amid TSA employees working without pay during a partial government shutdown, as Elon Musk offers to cover their salaries
US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to use Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to provide security at airports, as thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel remain unpaid due to a continuing government funding impasse.
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Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Democrats did not immediately approve a funding agreement, he would “move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before.”
He later added that ICE agents would be “moving in on Monday” and had been instructed to “GET READY.”
The threat came after tech entrepreneur Elon Musk offered to cover the salaries of TSA staff, who have been working without pay since mid-February amid the partial government shutdown.
The TSA, which screens airport passengers, baggage, and cargo, comprises approximately 65,000 employees under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has an annual payroll estimated at $2.5 billion to $3 billion.
The funding lapse has forced thousands of employees to work without pay as travel demand rises ahead of spring.
Union officials report that more than 300 TSA workers have quit since the shutdown began on February 14, while unscheduled absences have more than doubled.
Some officers are taking second jobs or relying on donations, and major airports have implemented food pantries and gift card programs to support affected staff.
Democrats in Congress have resisted new DHS funding until reforms are implemented on how ICE conducts immigration enforcement operations, including limits on patrols, face mask use, and a requirement for judicial warrants before entering private property.
ICE continues to operate using previously approved congressional funds but remains widely unpopular due to recent violent incidents during enforcement operations.
Trump’s social media post also referenced Minneapolis, Minnesota, criticizing the state in connection with prior immigration raids, while taking a jab at the state’s political leadership.
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The ongoing dispute has created operational challenges at major US airports, with long security lines prompting officials to advise travelers to arrive earlier than usual.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
