The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will temporarily stop two widely used airport security programs  TSA PreCheck and Global Entry starting Sunday at 6 a.m. Eastern, according to a DHS spokesperson.

The move comes as much of the department shuts down due to a funding lapse after Congress failed to approve additional money for DHS.

Why DHS Is Pausing Trusted Traveler Programs

DHS said the suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry is one of several emergency measures being taken more than a week after funding ran out. The goal is to redirect limited staff and resources toward standard airport security screening.

DHS Secretary Kristi L. Noem said the department is being forced to make difficult choices.

She said DHS is “making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions” while prioritizing the “general traveling population” at airports and ports of entry.

Noem Blames Democrats for Shutdown

Noem criticized Democrats for the funding lapse, saying, “This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress,”. She warned that shutdowns have real consequences. “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers national security.”

What Triggered the DHS Funding Standoff?

Democrats demanded that Republicans agree to new restrictions on DHS operations after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, in Minneapolis last month. The White House entered talks with Democrats, but negotiations failed before DHS funding expired on February 14.

How Will Shutdown Affect TSA PreCheck & Airport Security?

The government shutdown has temporarily suspended TSA PreCheck, meaning travelers who normally use expedited screening must now go through standard security lines, leading to longer wait times at airports. Global Entry services, including interviews and renewals, have also been paused. While TSA officers continue to operate and airport security remains in place, staffing and resources are stretched, reducing efficiency and slowing passenger movement through checkpoints.

Other Services Being Suspended By DHS

In addition to halting TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, DHS is also:

  • Suspending airport police escorts for members of Congress

  • Pausing other expedited airport services

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will also stop all “non-disaster related response” activities to focus on emergencies.

Noem cited the upcoming winter storm as a reason for prioritizing disaster response.

Earlier, The Washington Post reported that DHS had halted nearly all travel because of the funding standoff. DHS is now requiring approval for all FEMA travel, including disaster-related trips.

Democrats’ Demands on Federal Agents

Democrats are pushing for major changes to how federal agents operate. Their demands include:

  • Agents must wear body cameras

  • Agents should not wear masks

  • Judicial warrants must be obtained before home raids

  • Raids must stop at “sensitive sites” such as churches and schools

  • Agents must follow a new code of conduct, similar to local police

How This DHS Shutdown Differs From Others

The federal government has already experienced two shutdowns in recent months, including a 43-day shutdown in the fall tied to disagreements over Affordable Care Act subsidies.

This shutdown is more limited. Congress has funded every department except DHS, affecting about 13% of the civilian federal workforce.

Which DHS Agencies Are Most Affected?

Some DHS agencies are less impacted. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are expected to continue operating due to funding from a Republican tax and spending law signed last year by Donald Trump.

That law provided DHS with $170 billion, including $75 billion for ICE.

However, agencies like FEMA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are more vulnerable. DHS’s shutdown plan shows that 91% of employees would continue working without pay, with the first missed paycheck on March 3.

Political Reactions to the DHS Shutdown

Republicans warned that failing to fund DHS would weaken national security. “If the Department of Homeland Security is defunded, the pain will extend throughout the country,” said John Barrasso, the No. 2 Senate Republican.

Democrats argued they did not want to disrupt TSA or FEMA operations. Still, they said they were willing to block DHS funding because they believe federal agents’ tactics pose a serious threat.

Democrats Say Immigration Tactics Are the Real Crisis

Sen. Chris Murphy said Democrats were focused on the human impact of immigration enforcement. “My wish is for my Republican colleagues to be just as upset as they are about what is going to happen next week at TSA or at FEMA as for the children that are being traumatized right now in this country, who are being thrown in what’s called the ‘baby jail’ outside of San Antonio the lives that are fundamentally changed by an immigration policy that is out of control."