Representative Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the Committee on Homeland Security in the House of Representatives, said in a statement that Trump was “manufacturing chaos at airports for political leverage” and that putting ICE agents in travel checkpoints would bring a “tool of fascism” to America.
“Donald Trump needs to stand down his secret police, agree to reasonable ICE reforms, and let us pay TSA workers,” the Mississippi lawmaker said.
DEMOCRATS SEEK TSA CHANGES
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, on Saturday offered to cover TSA paychecks “during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.” DHS, TSA and Musk representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Homeland Security historically has shifted resources across agencies during emergency staffing shortages, said Stewart Baker, who was a DHS policy official in President George W Bush’s administration. Keeping TSA going without paying staff creates “serious trouble” for the agency, Baker said.
Using ICE agents for airport security “may be slower than using trained people, but it would be better than having nobody,” he added.
ICE, along with Customs and Border Protection, has deployed agents over the past few months to multiple areas as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, most recently to Minnesota in an operation that resulted in agents fatally shooting American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Their deaths sparked a backlash and led the Trump administration to adopt a more targeted approach in Minnesota.
Trump this month fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid growing criticism of the administration’s immigration tactics. The US Senate is considering the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, as the next DHS secretary.
Trump has said his immigration policies are intended to curb illegal immigration and improve national security. A DHS funding bill has been held up in Congress as Democrats demand TSA changes that Republicans have resisted.
Democrats have said TSA reforms are needed, including a prohibition on agents wearing masks. Republicans have said that would endanger agents.
Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said TSA had provided lists of airport travellers to ICE, calling the move a break from TSA’s prior practices.