No pay for 50,000 TSA officers during the shutdown, and now a Donald Trump official just dropped a warning

The acting Deputy TSA Administrator, Adam Stahl, has warned that smaller airports across the country could shut down if the ongoing government shutdown continues to cause rising absenteeism among unpaid security officers. TSA officers missed their first full paycheck last week, and the effects are already being felt at airports, with security lines stretching far outside terminals in some places.

Many security employees are calling out of work to find other ways to earn income since they are not getting paid. The current partial government shutdown is mainly affecting the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA. According to USA Today, around 50,000 TSA airport security officers have been working without pay for about a month now.

On March 15, a full 10% of TSA officers did not show up for their shifts, putting a serious strain on airport operations. Stahl spoke about the issue during an interview on “Fox & Friends,” warning of widespread disruption if the situation continues.

Unpaid TSA officers are facing a serious financial crisis with no quick fix in sight

Stahl said, “As the weeks continue, if this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones if callout rates go up.” Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100 and a TSA officer in Dallas, explained the financial pressure officers are under. 

He said, “When you get a partial paycheck, when you expect $2,000 and you receive $500, and then you expect $2,000 and you receive zero, you’re now $3,500 in the hole. I don’t have anybody I can call and ask for $3,500.” 

Meanwhile, Congress continues to debate other pressing national issues, leaving federal workers waiting for relief. During the previous government shutdown, which was the longest in United States history, the Trump administration required airlines to reduce their schedules at major airports. That move was aimed at helping Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers, who were also working without pay at the time.

The FAA is fully funded during the current partial shutdown, so air traffic controllers are not facing the same pay issues. However, travelers are still experiencing long security lines due to the unpaid and absent TSA employees.

When asked about the situation, the TSA did not confirm whether closing small airports is being actively considered. The Department of Transportation referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, and there has been no clear sign that Congress plans to act soon.

Adding to the uncertainty, Trump’s moves to reshape election rules unilaterally suggest that working around the legislature may become an increasingly common approach to resolving political standoffs.