Trump to Sign Order Paying TSA Agents During Shutdown

President says he'll act to address 'emergency situation' at airports

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:19am by Ben Kaplan

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President Trump announced he will sign an executive order to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Trump accused Democrats of siding with 'criminal illegal aliens' over the American people by not enforcing immigration law, and said he will instruct the DHS Secretary to immediately pay TSA agents to address the 'emergency situation' causing long security lines at airports across the country.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has resulted in the TSA being unfunded for over a month, leading to staffing shortages and hours-long security checkpoint waits at airports nationwide. Trump's executive order aims to alleviate the travel disruptions by ensuring TSA agents are paid during the shutdown standoff between the White House and Congress.

The details

Trump said he will sign the executive order instructing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay TSA agents. The president accused Democrats of siding with 'criminal illegal aliens' over the American people by not enforcing immigration law, and claimed 25 million people have entered the country from 'prisons, mental institutions, and insane asylums.' The Senate is expected to hold a vote on a wider DHS funding bill on Thursday, but it's unclear if it will pass.

  • The partial government shutdown has lasted 41 days.
  • The Senate will hold a vote on a DHS funding bill on Thursday.

The players

President Trump

The President of the United States who announced he will sign an executive order to pay TSA agents during the partial government shutdown.

Markwayne Mullin

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who Trump said he will instruct to immediately pay TSA agents.

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What they’re saying

“I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports.”

— President Trump

“They almost destroyed our Country, allowing 25 Million People to enter from Prisons, Mental Institutions, and Insane Asylums, those that are Drug Dealers, and thousands of Murderers, many of whom killed more than one person.”

— President Trump

What’s next

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The takeaway

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