Donald Trump revealed he will use executive authority to order payments to over 50,000 airport security officers to solve the personnel shortage causing severe travel delays nationwide.
Trump stated he has directed the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay TSA officers to manage the emergency situation and end the chaos at airports.
This problem has arisen amid a partial government shutdown starting in February, resulting in Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff working without pay.
Data from the DHS indicates that nearly 500 airport security officers have resigned since the crisis began.
Meanwhile, absenteeism rates have alarmingly risen, with over 11% of TSA officers—about 3,120 individuals—not showing up for work on a single day. Some airports have absentee rates as high as 30%, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, airports in Houston, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Atlanta.
The TSA has warned that if the staffing shortage worsens, some smaller airports may have to close.
The situation is further strained as it coincides with spring break holidays, during which passenger numbers have increased by about 5% compared to last year, causing multi-hour security checkpoint lines at many airports.
However, congressional conflicts persist, with Democrats delaying DHS budget approval to pressure for immigration policy changes after an incident in Minneapolis where officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens. Republicans reject proposals to separate TSA funding from immigration policy negotiations.
Trump mentioned he may consider deploying the National Guard to airports to assist with security.
Meanwhile, immigration and investigative officers from DHS have been deployed to assist at 14 airports nationwide, handling ID checks, managing entrances and exits, and crowd control.
Source:channelnewsasia
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