Trump Sends ICE Into Airports, Hints National Guard Could Be Next

President Donald Trump is sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into U.S. airports to help manage swelling TSA security lines as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown drags on, and he warned Monday the National Guard could be next if the chaos doesn’t ease.

ICE agents began deploying to airports on Monday to help relieve pressure on screening operations after a wave of TSA callouts and staffing shortages left travelers stuck in long lines at major hubs.

Trump said the move was his call, made after checking in with Border Czar Tom Homan.

“ICE was my idea,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac in West Palm Beach before boarding Air Force One. “First person I called, Tom Homan, I said, what do you think? He said, I think it’s great.”

The president also made clear he wants agents assisting at airports to do so without face coverings.

“I put out a statement and I asked him, would it be possible to take off masks?” Trump said.

In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump said he supports ICE officers wearing masks when dealing with violent offenders, but drew a line when they’re working airport lines created by Washington dysfunction.

“I am a BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks as they search for, and are forced to deal with, hardened criminals, many of whom were let into our Country by Sleepy Joe Biden and his wonderful ‘Border Czar,’ Kamala (she never even went to the Border!), through their absolutely INSANE Open Border Policy,” Trump wrote.

“I would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports, etc. Thank you!”

Trump praised ICE for stepping in, said the agents “will do great,” and then signaled the administration is prepared to escalate federal support if necessary.

The deployment comes as Democrats continue blocking a full DHS funding deal, while pushing piecemeal bills that would keep parts of the department running but carve out immigration enforcement. Republicans have argued the approach is political sabotage at a moment of heightened security concerns and rising threats tied to the Middle East conflict.

RELATED: WATCH: Homan Provides Timetable On ICE Deployments To Major Airports

“We’re not going to have the Democrats destroy our country,” Trump said during an under-wing gaggle. “These people are the most destructive sick people, the Democrats.”

Outside Washington, the U.S. Travel Association blasted Congress for leaving TSA officers without pay while lawmakers eye a two-week recess.

“There is a striking irony in Congress preparing to leave town for a two-week paid recess while TSA officers, the people who secure America’s travel system, face yet another $0 paycheck,” the group said in a statement.

RELATED: WATCH: World’s Busiest Airport Reports Three-Hour TSA Wait Times Amid Democrat-Led Shutdown

“Come Friday, if Congress fails to do its job and pass a DHS funding bill, they’ll head to the airports, get escorted to the front of the security line and be screened by the very TSA officers they failed to pay.”

The group urged lawmakers to stay put until the shutdown ends.

“So allow us to speak directly to Congress: Do not board that flight, pack that bag, or clear that schedule until TSA officers have been paid,” the statement said. “Fix this before you leave Washington. Pass the funding. Pay our TSA officers. The American people are watching, and they will remember who stayed to get it done and who didn’t.”

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