More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began

Over 400 TSA Employees Resign Amid Ongoing Government Closure

The Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 400 Transportation Security Administration staff have left their positions since the partial government shutdown commenced on February 14. These workers have been operating without compensation, a situation caused by funding restrictions imposed over Democratic demands for reforms at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The shutdown followed allegations of misconduct and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

TSA, which operates under DHS, employs approximately 65,000 individuals, with 50,000 serving as frontline security officers at the nation’s airports. Of those who resigned during the shutdown, nearly half have over three years of experience, and a third have over five years, according to the agency. Some workers have voiced concerns about unpaid bills and the potential for financial hardship, citing the lack of pay as a significant stressor.

“I face the risk of eviction and even homelessness because I haven’t been receiving my salary,” said Anthony Riley, a 58-year-old father of three who has been working without pay for weeks. His comments highlight the personal toll of the shutdown on TSA employees.

Airport delays and frustration have increased due to the staffing shortage. On Friday, the nationwide callout rate reached 10.22%, the highest recorded during the shutdown, according to a DHS spokesperson. Specific airports reported even higher rates: John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City had a 29.5% callout rate, while Houston Intercontinental Airport saw 36.6%. Houston Hobby Airport’s rate peaked at 51.5% the same day.

In the U.S. Senate, a Democratic proposal to fund only TSA personnel without covering the rest of DHS failed to secure the required 60 votes. The 41-49 vote split along party lines, underscoring political divides. Senate Democrats also rejected a Republican effort to fully fund DHS on Friday. Leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York, have called for ICE reforms, including ending indiscriminate arrests, banning mask-wearing by officers, and addressing racial profiling.

President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, threatened to deploy ICE to airports during the shutdown. However, ICE’s funding has remained intact, as the agency received $75 billion in additional support through the president’s major legislative package from last year. Joe Smollen, who traveled from Newark Liberty International Airport to San Diego, expressed hope for a congressional resolution. “It’s unfair to citizens to endure this,” he said. “And these workers are very diligent—Congress shouldn’t single them out like this.”

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering transportation, space, medical, and consumer issues. Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.