Elon Musk offered to pay the salaries of the nation’s TSA workers amid yet another government shutdown that has left TSA employees unpaid. He expressed concern that the absence of TSA workers is “negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.”
On X, the billionaire automaker stated he wanted to help due to the “funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.” However, federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 209 reportedly prohibits outside pay or contributions for federal workers.
According to multiple media outlets, as of March 21, 2026, approximately 50,000 TSA employees had been working without pay for 35 days (five weeks) during a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. They are classified as "essential" personnel, required to work without pay during the funding lapse, which has led to high call-out rates and over 400 resignations.
Many airport security check-in times have increased by hours due to the lack of TSA agents.
In the absence of TSA employees, President Trump announced that ICE agents are now patrolling U.S. airports. According to the New York Times, 150 agents were assigned to various airports on Monday. Although they are reportedly providing services in place of TSA agents, some passengers have claimed they witnessed ICE detain and harass travelers.
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