TSA Workers Rally at Sacramento Airport Amid Shutdown Strain

President Trump says he'll sign an emergency order to pay TSA workers across the nation.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:20am

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TSA workers at Sacramento International Airport rallied to protest the financial strain caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left many TSA agents without paychecks for over a month. The shutdown has led to staffing shortages at major airports across the country, with some reporting wait times of up to 4 hours. President Trump has said he will sign an emergency order to pay TSA workers, but it's unclear how quickly those funds will be received.

Why it matters

The TSA shutdown has had a significant impact on airport operations and travelers nationwide, with major hubs like Atlanta and New York seeing unprecedented wait times. This has raised concerns about public safety and the ability of the TSA to effectively carry out its duties. The financial hardship faced by TSA agents, many of whom live paycheck-to-paycheck, has also drawn attention to the broader effects of the government shutdown on federal workers.

The details

TSA officers and supporters gathered at Terminal B of the Sacramento International Airport, rallying in support of officers who have gone without pay during the shutdown. Many TSA agents are struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, and cover other basic expenses. Nationwide, the shutdown has led to staffing shortages, with over 3,100 TSA employees failing to show up for work on a single day and over 480 quitting their jobs. Airport officials have warned that operations could deteriorate further if more officers start calling out.

  • The partial government shutdown is already the second longest in U.S. history.
  • If the shutdown continues through this Friday, TSA workers will have missed nearly $1 billion in paychecks.

The players

TSA Workers

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who are responsible for airport security screening and have gone without pay during the partial government shutdown.

President Trump

The President of the United States, who has said he will sign an emergency order to pay TSA workers across the nation.

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What’s next

President Trump says he will sign an emergency order to pay TSA workers across the nation, but it's unclear how quickly those funds will be received.

The takeaway

The TSA shutdown has had a significant impact on airport operations and the financial well-being of federal workers, raising concerns about public safety and the broader effects of the government shutdown on federal employees.