When Will TSA Workers Be Paid? Here’s What We Know

New York Times
by Madeleine Ngo
March 27, 2026
2 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

President Trump ordered DHS to pay TSA workers delayed during federal shutdown.

AI Summary

President Trump on Friday ordered the Department of Homeland Security to pay thousands of TSA airport security officers, addressing a pay gap that emerged during the recent federal government shutdown. TSA workers, classified as essential personnel, had continued working without paychecks while much of the federal workforce was furloughed. The directive aims to resolve the compensation issue affecting frontline security staff responsible for screening passengers at the nation's airports. The timing of the payment and specific details about back pay calculations remain to be determined by the Homeland Security Department.

What's Being Done

President Trump issued a directive ordering the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers, with specific payment timing and back pay details to be determined by DHS.

Source Coverage Map

10 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

23% coverage
Did Not Cover (33)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP US News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+28 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Long lines, unpaid TSA workers: Experts say US air travel system in crisis
Government Transparency

Long lines, unpaid TSA workers: Experts say US air travel system in crisis

TSA workers face unpaid wages, causing long lines and staffing shortages at key US airports during shutdown chaos.

Al JazeeraMar 24
AFGE president tells lawmakers ‘do not get on a plane’ for Easter recess without paying TSA
Politics

AFGE president tells lawmakers ‘do not get on a plane’ for Easter recess without paying TSA

The president of the largest federal workers union warned lawmakers on Tuesday not to leave Washington for Easter recess without first striking a deal to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and other government employees, as the partial government shutdown has now stretched to 39 days. “Don’t even think about going home for Easter recess…

The HillMar 24
Trump news at a glance: president tries to stop chaos at airports
Politics

Trump news at a glance: president tries to stop chaos at airports

<p>Donald Trump said he will take executive action to pay 50,000 airport security workers as a deal stalled in Congress to address staff shortages – key US politics stories from 26 March 2026</p><p>Donald Trump said on Thursday he will take executive action to pay 50,000 airport security workers as a deal stalled in Congress to address staff shortages that have snarled travel around the country.</p><p>The US president said he was instructing the Homeland Security Department “to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/27/trump-news-latest-updates-today">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 27
Deal emerges to end Homeland Security budget standoff as TSA disruptions deepen - AP News
Politics

Deal emerges to end Homeland Security budget standoff as TSA disruptions deepen - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOdWIwRnpZOEpRbHhlTUtVeXpmb25rYmhDdTl1ME5uT1RSRVZObXNXSVhsN1YtOU9OTW9TeWFiV3hyMEJqVjhxRDltbHNaT1dSMFE2dFU0blJYb19BWFpwR3JaX3RXQUNvWGxsa2dlbkJnQWlJS3BCWHNsd3p5aHpzN2pNY2pYTlhJbmRpZmJ0OFJWRXFhUTdSU08zSHdRYnZUdnJHUldJV3I4SmdmV0dEUkd3?oc=5" target="_blank">Senators consider deal to fund Homeland Security but not ICE enforcement as airport lines snarl</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 24
Former Justice Department workers accuse Trump of degrading department
Politics

Former Justice Department workers accuse Trump of degrading department

Since President Trump took office for a second time, the Justice Department has undergone significant changes. Former DOJ litigator Stacey Young, founder and executive director of Justice Connection, joins "The Takeout" to discuss her organization's efforts to reform the Department.

CBS NewsMar 26
A year after Trump's DOGE cuts, workers whose lives were upended ask what was saved
Government Transparency

A year after Trump's DOGE cuts, workers whose lives were upended ask what was saved

A year after federal employees were hit by the Trump administration's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency, it remains unclear what the agency saved.

PBS NewsHourMar 27
Read Next
The Justice Department plans to share sensitive voter data with Homeland Security
Government Transparency

The Justice Department plans to share sensitive voter data with Homeland Security

The Justice Department has sought voter data from states. It now says it plans to share that data with the Department of Homeland Security, to run it through a controversial citizenship check tool.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources