WASHINGTON — PresidentDonald Trumpsaid he's considering deploying the National Guard to airports toease congestionamid a partial government shutdown.
Trump deployed federal immigration officers to airports across the country this week to assist with crowd controland bring down excessive wait times.
"We're going to send in the National Guard, if we need to," Trump said on March 25, during a fundraiser for congressional Republicans as Congress barreled toward a planned two-week recesswithout a dealto resolve the shutdown at hand.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airports to help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
ICE agents appear at airports as TSA delays snarl check-in
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds ofImmigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airportsto help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country.
Transportation Security Administration workers have not received a full paycheck since the Department of Homeland Security shut down on Feb. 14. The federal government says absences have increased, with workers calling out or quitting, as the congressional fight drags on.
This week the Trump administration sent hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement tomore than a dozen airportsin an effort to hasten security lines and end the dispute in Washington, whereDemocrats have demandedimmigration enforcement reforms such as the use of body cams to restart DHS funding.
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ICE officers are not able to conduct passenger and baggage screenings,which legally requirespecialized training. TSA says they are helping to guard exit lanes and control lines.
"They're doing such an unbelievable job at the airports," Trump said.
The president said that the lines had decreased at airports as a result. Trump told House Republicans he could supplement the effort with the National Guard because it has a larger pool of reservists than ICE has personnel.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump may send National Guard to airports to help ease wait times