Homeland Security — 2026-03-26
Trump Threatens Congress with Drastic Measures Over DHS Shutdown as Weekend Travel Rush Approaches
Trump warned Congress to end the DHS shutdown or face very drastic measures as airport security lines reach record lengths ahead of spring break weekend travel. Wait times exceeded four hours at some airports with lines snaking outside terminal doors. Senate Republicans proposed funding 94% of DHS excluding ICE enforcement, but Democrats rejected it. Congress is set to leave Friday for two-week recess with no deal in sight. More than 3,120 TSA officers did not report to work on Wednesday, with the callout rate of 11.14% approaching the record 11.76% set Sunday.
Analysis
Congress leaving for two-week recess without a DHS funding deal means the shutdown will reach at least 55 days. Trump's "drastic measures" language echoes his pre-emergency declaration rhetoric; the operational question is whether he invokes emergency authority to fund TSA outside normal appropriations, which would set a precedent for bypassing the congressional spending process.
Congress leaving for two-week recess without a DHS funding deal means the shutdown will reach at least 55 days. Trump's "drastic measures" language echoes his pre-emergency declaration rhetoric; the operational question is whether he invokes emergency authority to fund TSA outside normal appropriations, which would set a precedent for bypassing the congressional spending process.