President Trump moves to pay TSA agents amid budget impasse, using emergency powers to address airport chaos and staff shortages.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced he will sign an order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay airport security officers who have worked without full salaries for weeks.
The move aims to address an “Emergency Situation” and stop “Democrat Chaos at the Airports,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
US airports are experiencing severe delays during the busy spring travel period, with some passengers facing waits of several hours.
Unscheduled absences among Transportation Security Administration staff have surged to their highest levels since the DHS shutdown began in mid-February.
The budget standoff centres on Democratic demands for reforms of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Trump has said he will not sign a funding deal unless Congress also passes a contentious bill to overhaul voter registration.
He implied he would use presidential emergency powers to authorise the TSA payments, though Congress holds constitutional power over spending.
In an attempt to reduce queues, the administration this week began deploying ICE agents to assist with airport security.
This deployment has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, rights activists and some Republicans.
Critics warn ICE personnel are not trained for such work and that it risks escalating tensions.