Trump Proposes Privatizing US Airport Security

White House budget calls for cutting TSA funding and requiring small airports to use private screeners.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty airport security checkpoint, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and long shadows cast across the floor, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the future of transportation security.The privatization of airport security could reshape the passenger experience at checkpoints across the country.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump has proposed beginning the process of privatizing airport security operations handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the federal agency created after the 9/11 attacks. The White House budget calls for cutting the TSA's budget by $52 million and requiring small airports to use private security screeners instead of federal TSA staff.

Why it matters

This proposal represents a shift away from the federal government's role in airport security since 9/11, with the potential to impact passenger experiences and costs at airports across the country. It also comes amid ongoing challenges for the TSA, including staffing shortages and budget disputes.

The details

The White House budget documents state that airports currently using private security screeners have demonstrated cost savings compared to federal TSA operations. Trump fired the previous TSA administrator on his first day in office and has never nominated a replacement. Last year, the Trump administration sought a $247 million cut to the TSA budget, citing poor audit results and intrusive screening measures.

  • On April 3, 2026, President Trump proposed the privatization plan.
  • In recent weeks, major U.S. airports suffered disruptions after TSA officers went unpaid due to a budget dispute.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is proposing to privatize airport security operations.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency created after 9/11 to handle airport security screening, which currently employs around 50,000 federal workers.

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The takeaway

This proposal represents a significant shift in the federal government's role in airport security since 9/11, with potential impacts on passenger experiences, costs, and oversight at airports nationwide.