• What Happened: ICE agents deployed to 14 U.S. airports this morning including Atlanta, JFK, Newark, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, and Fort Myers. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson is telling travelers to arrive four hours early. The DHS shutdown is in its sixth week with no deal in sight.
  • Why It Matters: Over 400 TSA officers have quit. Atlanta's callout rate hit 36% this morning. TSA workers have missed full paychecks. Elon Musk offered to personally pay TSA salaries. Democrats still will not fund DHS.
  • Bottom Line: ICE agents are now standing in American airport terminals because Senate Democrats chose their political agenda over the safety and convenience of every American traveler.

This morning, for the first time in American history, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are standing inside U.S. airport terminals to help manage security lines. Not because Trump wanted it this way. Because Democrats left him no other choice.

ICE and Homeland Security Investigations officers deployed to 14 airports across the country today, including Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, JFK in New York, Newark Liberty, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, and Fort Myers. At Newark, reporters spotted a four-member ICE patrol in "ICE" vests walking through Terminal C around 6 a.m. They were not wearing masks and were not visibly armed. At Atlanta, the world's busiest airport, the general manager confirmed that more than 36% of TSA officers called out this morning. The airport is telling all travelers to arrive at least four hours before their flights.

This is what six weeks of Democrat obstruction looks like.

The DHS shutdown began February 14 after Democrats refused to fund the department without major restrictions on ICE enforcement operations, following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Since then, over 400 TSA officers have quit entirely. Thousands more have been calling out because they cannot afford gas, childcare, food, or rent. TSA workers have missed full paychecks. The callout rate hit 11% nationally on Saturday, the highest since the shutdown began, with Atlanta's rate now at 36% and climbing.

The situation got so desperate that last Friday, Elon Musk stepped in with an extraordinary offer, posting to his 88.4 million followers on X: "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." The richest man in the world offered to personally cover the paychecks of federal workers because Senate Democrats will not do their jobs.

Trump acted Sunday, announcing ICE would deploy Monday. Border czar Tom Homan is leading the effort. ICE agents will guard exit lanes, check IDs, and handle crowd management to free TSA officers for security screening. "This is about helping TSA do their mission and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can while adhering to all the security guidelines and protocols," Homan said. Trump also said Monday that he asked ICE agents not to wear masks at airports. "People coming into the airport, typically speaking, aren't murderers, killers, drug dealers," he said.

Democrats immediately attacked the move. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it dangerous. The TSA union called it a gap creator. The ACLU said it would inspire fear. None of them announced they would fund DHS.

Trump also confirmed Monday that ICE agents will continue to enforce immigration law while deployed at airports, meaning travelers with outstanding immigration issues could face arrest. He further stated Sunday night he will not sign any DHS funding deal unless Democrats also vote to pass the SAVE America Act requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, raising new obstacles to any resolution before Congress breaks for Easter.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned the situation will get significantly worse this coming Thursday and Friday, when TSA workers are set to miss yet another paycheck.

Democrats started this shutdown to protest ICE. ICE is now standing in American airports. Americans are being told to arrive four hours early for their flights. TSA workers are working for free. And Democrats are still saying no.

Fund DHS. Pay TSA workers. End this today.