President Donald Trump said he plans to send the National Guard to U.S. airports, two days after the administration sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to several major U.S. airports after hours of waiting for travelers due to the partial government shutdown.
In an article published Wednesday on Truth Social, Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, which began on February 14..
“Thank you to our amazing ICE Patriots for your help. It makes a big difference,” he wrote in his message. “I might call the National Guard for additional help.”
Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Monday, March 23, 2026.
Élie Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
More than 11% of TSA agents called in Wednesday and more than 450 have resigned since the shutdown began, the Department of Homeland Security said.
High absences among Transportation Security Administration officers, who are required to work even if not paid during the shutdown, have contributed to long lines at major U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Houston and New York.
DHS, which oversees both ICE and TSA, said ICE agents would “support airports facing the greatest stress,” but the department did not respond to requests for comment on ICE agents’ duties. ICE agents are paid during the shutdown.
Airlines are warning customers about potentially long lines, while executives are growing frustrated with lawmakers over the impasse. Tuesday, Delta Airlines said it has suspended its airport escorts and other special services for members of Congress and their staff due to the ongoing partial DHS shutdown.
The shutdown comes as Democrats in Congress have demanded changes to the way federal immigration enforcement works in exchange for unlocking DHS funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.