Airport Chaos Deepens as Shutdown Drags On: TSA is Unpaid and Noem Blames Democrats

As the United States federal government shutdown nears its third week, the effects are rippling across the nation’s airports. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are struggling to maintain critical operations with tens of thousands of federal employees working without pay. Pressure is also mounting on air traffic control centers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints with slowdowns and disruptions that could get much worse.

At the center of growing frustration among travelers is a new video released by Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem. It will play on a continuous loop at TSA checkpoints nationwide. The 36-second message blames the Democrats for the funding impasse that has left airport staff unpaid and passengers facing mounting delays. The move marks an unusual escalation in the political messaging surrounding the shutdown and highlights the administration’s attempt to publicly assign responsibility for the disruption.

The video’s transcript reads:

Hi, I’m Christine Nome, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe.

However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government. And because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.

We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

The ongoing shutdown has left approximately 50,000 TSA officers working without pay (despite being classified as essential employees). Many are now struggling to cover basic expenses such as transportation and childcare in order to keep working. Industry observers warn that absenteeism will rise if the shutdown continues. This pattern was seen during past government closures.

The strain is already showing in the National Airspace System, where air traffic controller shortages are beginning to affect flight operations. Some major airports have reported longer security lines and flight delays tied to staffing gaps at both TSA and air traffic control centers.

Officials within the Department of Transportation acknowledge the growing pressure on air traffic operations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reportedly warned that the situation could deteriorate further if more controllers begin missing shifts. Duffy described some of the absent personnel as “problem children” and indicated that disciplinary action (including potential terminations) could follow once the shutdown ends.

However, experts caution that such measures could exacerbate the issue. The US air traffic control system has been severely understaffed for years with recent efforts to rebuild the workforce hindered by budget delays, retirements, and training backlogs. The shutdown has now frozen all recruitment and training programs, which is derailing what had been one of the most ambitious hiring drives in recent memory.

The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the risk of widespread travel disruptions. Absenteeism among unpaid federal employees tends to rise sharply as paychecks remain withheld and morale drops. For TSA officers, many of whom are among the lowest-paid federal workers, even short-term disruptions to income can have immediate personal consequences. If staffing levels at security checkpoints fall, travelers could face multi-hour screening delays, missed flights, and possible terminal closures at high-traffic airports. Similarly, if absenteeism among air traffic controllers increases, flight delays could cascade across the national network (especially during peak travel periods).

The government shutdown, rooted in a partisan budget dispute, has become one of the longest in recent history. While lawmakers remain at an impasse, the human toll is becoming increasingly visible in airport terminals across the country.

Secretary Noem’s decision to air political messaging inside federal facilities is likely to intensify debate over accountability. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Duffy faces the dual challenge of keeping airspace operations stable while navigating staffing shortages that threaten to deepen with every passing day. As the shutdown drags on with no clear resolution in sight, both travelers and aviation workers are bracing for what could become one of the most disruptive periods in recent US aviation history (not good news for someone like me who flies several times a week).

Anthony’s Take: This crisis was not born not from weather, technology, or infrastructure, but from the political gridlock in Washington DC. It’s a shame that the country is so divided and that it’s now spilling out into the basics needed to keep it running.

(Featured Image Credit: TSA.)