Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 22: US President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports if congressional Democrats do not agree to fund airport security, as a prolonged government shutdown disrupts travel operations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said ICE agents could be moved to airports to handle security duties, claiming they would “do security like no one has ever seen before.”

The warning comes as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its 36th day, leaving Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel without pay and straining airport operations.

More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the shutdown began on February 14, while many others have reported sick, leading to long queues and delays at major US airports.

TSA staff are expected to miss another full paycheck on March 27, further intensifying concerns over staffing shortages and operational disruptions.

However, ICE agents are not trained for airport security screening, which is the primary responsibility of TSA personnel. Critics have raised concerns over the feasibility and legality of such a move, warning it could worsen the situation.

The funding deadlock stems from disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over DHS spending and immigration enforcement policies, with both sides blaming each other for the ongoing crisis.