President Donald Trump warned he could send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports and arrest illegal aliens if Democrats do not agree to his budget demands to end the partial government shutdown. The threat comes as the Department of Homeland Security has been without new funding for roughly five weeks, leaving TSA agents working without pay and triggering staffing shortages and long airport lines nationwide.
“If the radical left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our country, in particular, our airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE agents to the airports, where they will do security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all illegal immigrants who have come into our country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia, who have totally destroyed, with the approval of a corrupt governor, attorney general, and congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, the once great state of Minnesota,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.
What Is the Status of the Government Shutdown?
The Department of Homeland Security has been operating without new funding for approximately five weeks. The impasse has left TSA agents working without pay, triggering staffing shortages and long airport lines nationwide while raising concerns about the ability to prevent attacks.
TSA officers are considered essential employees and are required to report to work even during a shutdown, though pay can be delayed. Major U.S. airports have experienced severe delays, with security wait times exceeding three hours in some cases due to high TSA officer absenteeism.
Hardest-hit airports include Houston’s HOU and IAH, Atlanta’s ATL, New Orleans’ MSY, and Philadelphia’s PHL. Footage from PHL shot early Thursday morning showed hundreds of passengers waiting on elevators and escalators to clear a security checkpoint.
What Are the Political Battle Lines?
Republicans have pushed to fund DHS as a whole, while Democrats have sought standalone funding for agencies like TSA that would exclude immigration operations. Both parties are blaming each other for the standoff, and the partial shutdown has turned into a negotiating tool in larger budget talks.
Trump’s proposal to deploy ICE agents to airports appears designed to pressure Democrats by threatening heightened immigration enforcement at a time when travel disruptions are already causing widespread frustration.
What Did Elon Musk Offer?
Earlier Saturday, Elon Musk offered to cover the salaries of TSA personnel during the ongoing government funding standoff. “I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk said in an X post.
It remains unclear whether the government can legally accept such an offer or how the arrangement would work. Musk’s offer came as images of massive airport lines circulated widely on social media, intensifying public frustration over the shutdown.
Who Did Trump Target in His Post?
Trump specifically singled out Somalia; Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; Attorney General Keith Ellison; and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota who was born in Somalia. He accused them of having “totally destroyed” the state of Minnesota through policies that allowed illegal immigration.
The reference to Omar, one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, follows a pattern of Trump using the congresswoman as a foil in immigration debates. Omar’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What Happens Next?
Trump’s post suggests he is prepared to escalate the standoff rather than back down. The deployment of ICE agents to airports would result in a significant surge in immigration enforcement, potentially causing additional delays and legal issues.
Democrats have not indicated that they will agree to Trump’s demands to fully fund DHS without conditions. With the closure approaching five weeks and no end in sight, the impact on travelers is expected to intensify.
FAQs: Airport Shutdown Crisis
Q: Why are there long lines at airports?
A: Due to excessive absenteeism and a staffing deficit, TSA workers are working unpaid during the partial government shutdown. At several major airports, wait times have surpassed three hours.
Q: What did Trump threaten to do?
A: Trump threatened to send ICE agents to airports to arrest illegal immigrants if Democrats do not agree to fund DHS and end the shutdown.
Q: Who did Trump target in his post?
A: Trump singled out Somalia and Minnesota leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, accusing them of destroying Minnesota through immigration policies.
Q: What did Elon Musk offer?
A: Musk offered to pay TSA salaries during the funding impasse. It is unclear if the government can accept the offer.
Q: How long has DHS been without funding?
A: Approximately five weeks. TSA agents are essential employees required to work without pay during the shutdown.
Q: Which airports are most affected?
A: Houston (HOU, IAH), Atlanta (ATL), New Orleans (MSY), and Philadelphia (PHL) have reported the worst delays.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
