A partial government shutdown has triggered shortages within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), causing disruptions at airports across the United States.
This situation has resulted in delays, and with a funding agreement between Democrats and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) still elusive, former President Trump has announced his intention to deploy federal agents to manage airport security.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump declared, “If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!”
He indicated that these measures could take effect imminently, saying, “Likewise, I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”
Accompanying his statement was a black and white image of Trump looking resolute, with the caption “No Games!” prominently displayed.
However, Trump’s comments did not clarify how ICE would assume the responsibilities typically handled by TSA, which is tasked with screening passengers and luggage for potential threats.
The vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay.
Call-out rates have started to increase at some airports, and DHS said at least 376 have quit since the partial shutdown began on February 14.
The move appears to be a pointed effort to expand the type of immigration enforcement that has become a sticking point in Congress.
Democrats are asking for better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.
The Minnesota operation was tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
On Saturday, Trump said ICE officers sent to airports would focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the US illegally. Repeating his criticism on Somalis, he said they “totally destroyed” Minnesota.
On Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks.
Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones. A bill to fund the Cabinet department failed to advance in the Senate on Friday.
There were signs of progress, though, with the restarting in recent days of stalled talks between Democrats and the White House.
On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators were set to meet for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors as Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York spoke of “productive conversations”.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, urged the bipartisan group to act quickly. He has said repeatedly that Democrats and the White House need to find a compromise as lines at airports have grown.
“If that group that’s meeting can’t come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse,” Thune said.
Reported with Associated Press
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