USA04 April, 20261 min read
Trump Orders Full DHS Pay After 48 Days, TSA Lines Ease
Trump signs memo directing DHS to pay all employees during shutdown. Payments extend beyond TSA, covering all DHS workers with back pay.
Trump Orders Full DHS Pay
Trump ordered DHS to pay all employees as the shutdown neared 50 days. The memorandum directs issuing paychecks with back pay to tens of thousands of employees. The Senate passed a proposal to fund TSA and other agencies, without money for ICE.
TSA Pay Eases Airport Chaos
TSA agents started receiving paychecks, allowing airports to return largely to normal operations. Major airports reported significantly shorter lines than in recent weeks. About 3,100 TSA agents, nearly 11% of the workforce, were absent on Sunday.
Shutdown Drives Broader DHS Chaos
Tens of thousands of other DHS workers remained unpaid. The Coast Guard faced an estimated $15 million weekly loss from furloughs. The Senate's TSA-focused package lacked a clear path to a broader solution.
Legal and Political Challenges
Trump's unilateral funding moves raised legal questions. Some experts characterized the strategy as a judicial gamble. The pay directives risked dulling domestic pressure on lawmakers.