Trending Now - Trump Warns of ICE Deployment to Airports Without Funding Agreement

WHO:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated, “I just wish they would stop using the American people as leverage. Make them go through pain so Democrats can get what they want legislatively.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “At some point, the Democrats are going to have to take yes for an answer. I know they think this is politically good for them. It is not.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to support a Democratic effort to fund TSA.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

Senate Majority Leader John Thune

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

White House border czar Tom Homan

President Donald Trump

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Democrats and Republicans in Congress

WHAT:

Trump stated, “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!” in a post on Truth Social on March 21st, 2026.

Thousands of TSA employees have missed their first full paychecks due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, contributing to long lines at airports.

Trump stated, “I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” in a post on Truth Social.

Thousands of TSA employees have missed their first full paychecks due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune described a recent meeting with lawmakers and the Trump administration as "productive" and confirmed that the Trump administration added to its offer on DHS funding.

Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to US airports on March 23rd, 2026, if a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not reached.

Trump stated, “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!”

Trump indicated that ICE agents would be ready to move in on March 23rd, 2026, and instructed them to “GET READY.”

WHERE:

US airports

WHEN:

The partial government shutdown began in mid-February 2026, and Democrats blocked legislation to reopen DHS for the fifth time on March 17th, 2026.

The partial government shutdown began in mid-February 2026.

The deployment of ICE agents is threatened for March 23rd, 2026.

The partial government shutdown has been ongoing for several weeks as of March 21st, 2026.

WHY:

Democrats have demanded changes to policy surrounding ICE and Customs and Border Protection in exchange for votes to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats blocked legislation to reopen DHS for the fifth time on March 17th, 2026, amid ongoing negotiations.

The threat to deploy ICE is a response to a stalemate over DHS funding, which has resulted in TSA workers going without pay and staffing shortages at airports.

HOW:

Trump suggested that ICE agents would conduct security enforcement "like no one has ever seen before," including the immediate arrest of all illegal immigrants, with a focus on those from Somalia.

ICE agents may assist in limited roles such as managing lines, directing passengers, or helping move people through the checkpoint process, as they are not trained in airport security screening.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:34 UTC)

In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Democrats for blocking funding for airport security, suggesting that if they don't allow for proper security, ICE will take over the job more effectively. This comes as thousands of TSA employees have missed their paychecks due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February and has seen Democrats reject attempts to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. Senate leaders from both parties are now urging cooperation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for Republican support to fund the TSA amid the ongoing crisis.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 23:02 UTC)

In a bold statement on Truth Social, Trump announced he is ready to deploy ICE agents starting Monday, urging them to "GET READY" and promising a level of enforcement "like no one has ever seen before," particularly targeting illegal immigrants from Somalia. This announcement comes as thousands of TSA employees are facing their first full paychecks missed due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February after Democrats blocked legislation to reopen the Department of Homeland Security for the fifth time last Monday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described a recent meeting with lawmakers and the Trump administration as "productive," noting that the administration has expanded its offer regarding DHS funding amidst these negotiations.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 21:02 UTC)

President Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports on March 23, 2026, if Congress fails to reach a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security. He stated that if Democrats do not ensure proper security at airports, ICE will step in to do the job more effectively, instructing agents to "GET READY." This move comes as a partial government shutdown has left TSA workers unpaid and caused staffing shortages at airports, with ICE agents potentially assisting in limited roles like managing lines and directing passengers.