Elon Musk said Saturday he would pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, as the funding standoff begins to disrupt airport operations nationwide.
TSA officers have now gone weeks without pay while continuing to report to work, a requirement for essential federal employees. Staffing shortages and extended security lines are being reported across major airports, with some agents no longer showing up for shifts and delays stretching for hours in some locations.
The proposal is not legally viable, as federal payroll cannot be funded privately. Still, it comes amid a continued dispute over how to structure a deal, including whether TSA should be separated from immigration-related provisions.
The standoff is now affecting workforce stability in ways that could extend beyond the current lapse.
“The acting director yesterday said we had 400 some odd agents that so far have signaled that they’re leaving. That number is going to grow exponentially.”
That warning comes amid existing staffing pressure within the agency. A TSA union leader has cautioned that security risks tied to the shutdown are expected to worsen, particularly given hiring constraints and reduced staffing flexibility.
The potential impact on airport operations has also been stated directly by agency leadership.
Airports could “literally shut down” if a funding deal is not reached.
The financial strain on workers has become part of the broader debate over how long the situation can continue. Senator John Fetterman, who has supported full DHS funding, pointed to the conditions facing TSA personnel during the shutdown.
“TSA agents across the country are relying on food pantries and community donations just to get by.”
The combination of unpaid labor, rising absenteeism, and early signs of attrition reflects a system under increasing pressure. The longer the standoff continues, the harder it becomes to maintain normal operations at airports that depend on a workforce now being asked to operate without pay.
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