Trump threatens ICE deployment at US airports amid funding standoff

In two posts on his social media platform, Trump first issued a warning and later indicated that the deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could begin as early as Monday.

In Short

• Trump threatens to send ICE agents to airports if Democrats deny funding
• TSA staff face pay delays amid 36-day government shutdown
• Security shortages cause airport travel disruptions

Donald Trump on Saturday escalated pressure on congressional Democrats, threatening to deploy federal immigration officers at US airports if a funding deadlock over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not resolved.

In two posts on his social media platform, Trump first issued a warning and later indicated that the deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could begin as early as Monday.

“If the Radical Left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement I will move our ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do security like no one has ever seen before,” Trump said, adding that officers would carry out the “immediate arrest” of undocumented immigrants.

In a follow-up post, Trump doubled down on the threat, accusing Democrats of undermining national security and failing to support frontline personnel. He said ICE agents had already been told to prepare for deployment.

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before! The Fascist Democrats will never protect America, but the Republicans will,” Trump said, adding, “I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”

The remarks come amid an ongoing funding impasse in Congress that has affected key DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The standoff has led to staff shortages and operational disruptions at airports, with many TSA officers impacted by the funding uncertainty.

Trump described the proposed deployment as necessary to ensure airport security and restore order, while linking it to his broader immigration crackdown. In his posts, he also criticised what he called “open border” policies and claimed Republicans had strengthened border security.

The move appears to be a pointed effort to broaden immigration enforcement powers that have become a major sticking point in Congress. Democrats have vowed to oppose DHS funding unless changes are introduced, citing concerns over federal enforcement practices following a crackdown in Minnesota that sparked protests after fatal shootings involving federal agents. They are seeking measures such as clearer identification for officers, a formal code of conduct, and greater reliance on judicial warrants, among other reforms.

Trump’s posts did not detail how ICE would assume airport security functions or what the move would mean for the TSA, which is responsible for passenger screening. The proposal, if implemented, would mark a significant shift in the role of ICE agents, who are primarily tasked with immigration enforcement rather than airport security operations.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies