Opinion

Democrats broke airport security. Now they're calling the solution dangerous

What is happening at airports is a real-time test of whether the federal government can function under pressure

By Mehek Cooke Fox News

Published March 25, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Travelers face hours-long TSA lines as government shutdown strains resources

Travelers across the nation are enduring hours-long waits at TSA checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., discusses the legislative gridlock, Schumer's blame and his proposal to withhold senators' pay.

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Air travel in the United States is in crisis because of policy failures that have escalated from a nuisance into a national crisis. At Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, the busiest airport in the world, passengers faced security lines stretching for hours as TSA callout rates hit the highest since the shutdown began, with more than 3,200 officers nationwide failing to report to work. As the system buckles under this strain, the Trump administration is deploying ICE officers to stabilize operations, a practical response that has triggered immediate outrage from Democrats claiming it is unsafe or unlawful. The reality, however, is political: Democrats are leveraging the crisis to block standalone TSA funding unless ICE and Customs and Border Protection budgets are cut, turning stranded travelers into pawns in a broader fight over federal priorities.

This type of brinkmanship is irresponsible and a national security risk. Airports are designed for efficiency and convenience, but they are also high-risk,........

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