Trump Praises ICE Agents Deployed to Airports, Claims Americans 'Loving' Their 'Tougher, Harder Muscles'

The president deployed ICE agents to major U.S. airports to combat TSA staffing shortages amid the partial government shutdown.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:27am

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President Donald Trump claimed the public "is loving" his decision to deploy federal immigration agents to airports in a social media post that also praised the agents' physiques. ICE officers were deployed to major U.S. airports this week to combat severe staffing shortages tied to the partial government shutdown, with nearly 500 TSA agents quitting since the start of the shutdown on Feb. 14.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports has raised concerns about the appropriate roles and responsibilities of immigration enforcement officials, as well as the broader political dynamics around immigration policy and the ongoing government shutdown.

The details

In a Truth Social post, Trump applauded ICE agents for deploying to major airports nationwide, saying they are "Great American Patriots" who have been "unfairly maligned" by Democrats. He claimed the agents are helping with tasks like "picking up and cleaning areas" in addition to their official duties. The specifics of the ICE agents' roles at airports remain unclear, with the administration saying they will mainly assist TSA by taking on "non-significant roles" like crowd control.

  • On Monday, March 23, Trump deployed ICE agents to assist with airport security lines.
  • On Wednesday, March 25, Trump made his comments praising the ICE agents on Truth Social.
  • On Thursday, March 26, Trump said he would sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents, circumventing Congress.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who deployed ICE agents to airports and praised their physiques on social media.

Tom Homan

Trump's border czar who said ICE agents would mainly assist TSA by taking on "non-significant roles" like crowd control.

Ha Nguyen McNeill

The acting TSA Administrator who told a House panel that nearly 500 TSA agents have quit since the start of the government shutdown on Feb. 14.

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What they’re saying

“We're simply there to help TSA do their job in areas that don't need their specialized expertise, such as screening through the X-ray machine.”

— Tom Homan, Trump's border czar

“The fact is, they shouldn't have to do this, but they are rehabbing a fake image given to them by Radical Left Democrat politicians. The Public is loving ICE, so the Democrats, unwittingly, did us a favor.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.