Trump Orders DHS to Immediately Pay TSA Agents Amid Shutdown Chaos

President Trump announced on Thursday that he will sign an order instructing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents as the ongoing government funding standoff continues to impact airport operations.

In a social media post, Trump said he is taking this action to "address this Emergency Situation" and "quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports." The president expressed gratitude to "our hardworking TSA Agents" as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their efforts during the disruptions.

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The move comes as TSA employees have been forced to work without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, which was triggered by the dispute between the White House and Congressional Democrats over funding for Trump's proposed border wall. Numerous TSA agents have been calling in sick in protest, leading to longer security lines and flight delays at major airports across the country.

"I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports," Trump wrote on Twitter.

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The president's decision to intervene directly reflects the growing political pressure to resolve the funding impasse, which has now stretched on for over a month. Trump had previously refused to sign any spending bill that did not include $5.7 billion for his border wall, a demand that Democrats have steadfastly rejected.

However, with the disruptions at airports becoming increasingly severe, the White House appears to be seeking a temporary workaround to at least address the TSA staffing shortages. It remains to be seen whether this latest move will help break the broader deadlock in Washington and lead to a broader resolution of the government shutdown.

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