President Donald J. Trump has issued an executive order to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees receive payment during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown that began six weeks ago.
The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to utilize funds with a “reasonable logical nexus” to TSA operations for over 60,000 employees, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers. These workers have been operating without pay due to the shutdown, which was triggered by congressional Democrats’ demands to water down immigration enforcement.
The Senate recently passed legislation excluding funding for deportations, but it has stalled in the House where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) indicated the Republican leadership would not accept it.
In his order, Trump stated: “If Democrats in Congress will not act to honor the service of our TSA officers, who are now performing critical public safety responsibilities without knowing whether they can afford food or pay rent, then my Administration will take action.” The president added that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising national security.
Nearly 500 transportation security officers have resigned since the shutdown began, with many more reporting sick at unprecedented rates. This has led to severe airport wait times exceeding several hours, causing significant traveler disruption and increasing security risks amid the ongoing Iran war.
