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Donald Trump said Thursday he will sign an executive order to restart pay for Transportation Security Administration officers, who have gone more than a month without full pay during the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump did not specify the legal authority he plans to use to resume pay, raising questions about whether the administration can bypass Congress after DHS funding lapsed in February.
“Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country,” Trump said in a social media post.
The president said the order will direct Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who was sworn in earlier this week, to restore pay for TSA officers “immediately.”
Airport disruptions worsen
TSA officers were set to miss their second full paycheck Friday as lawmakers remain deadlocked over funding for DHS.
The lack of pay has led to widespread staffing shortages. More than 10% of TSA officers are calling out daily, with absentee rates exceeding 40% at some airports. Hundreds of officers have left the agency entirely.
The staffing strain has caused long security lines at major airports, with wait times stretching for hours. Officials have warned that smaller airports could face temporary closures if conditions worsen.
Political standoff continues
Congressional negotiations to reopen DHS remain stalled. Senate Democrats are pushing for new restrictions on immigration enforcement, while Republicans have resisted those demands.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier Thursday that Republicans had presented their “last and final” offer.
Emergency measures considered
To ease disruptions, the administration has deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist TSA officers at airports and has floated the possibility of mobilizing National Guard troops.
Trump administration officials also considered, but rejected, an offer from billionaire Elon Musk to pay TSA workers directly, citing legal concerns related to his government contracts.
Industry reaction
Chris Sununu, president and CEO of Airlines for America, praised the move, saying it would provide relief to thousands of frontline workers who have gone weeks without pay.
Still, he cautioned that even if Congress reaches a deal soon, back pay could take time to process, prolonging financial strain for affected workers.
Legal questions remain
It remains unclear how the administration would legally fund TSA pay without congressional appropriations. However, officials have previously used alternative funding mechanisms to maintain pay for certain federal personnel during shutdowns.
Active-duty Coast Guard members, for example, have continued to receive pay through discretionary funding despite the DHS lapse.
