Over 400 TSA Employees Have Resigned Amid Ongoing Government Closure

The Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 400 Transportation Security Administration staff have left their posts since the partial government shutdown began on February 14. The shutdown, which has left these workers unpaid, stems from political disagreements over funding. Democrats demanded reforms at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection following allegations of misconduct and the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Funding Dispute and Callout Rates

Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, cited a national callout rate of 10% during the shutdown. The agency, which operates under DHS, employs approximately 65,000 individuals, with 50,000 serving as front-line officers responsible for airport security. Among those who resigned, nearly half have more than three years of experience, while a third have over five years, according to the agency.

“I think it’s unfair to citizens to have to put up with it,” said Joe Smollen, a traveler departing from Newark Liberty International Airport. “And these poor people who work here, they’re very, very diligent in what they do, we need them,” he added. “It’s unfair that they would be singled out like that.”

Operational Challenges and Airport Strain

Unpaid wages have led to increased wait times and frustration at airports. The highest callout rate during the shutdown occurred on Friday, reaching 10.22% nationally. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, the rate peaked at 29.5%, while Houston Intercontinental Airport saw 36.6%. Houston Hobby Airport reported the most severe impact, with a 51.5% callout rate on the same day, according to DHS.

“I face possible eviction and the risk of becoming homeless,” shared Anthony Riley, a 58-year-old TSA worker with three children. “Working without pay for weeks has made it hard to cover basic expenses.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battles

In the U.S. Senate, a proposal to fund only TSA staff while deferring other DHS operations failed to secure the required 60 votes. The 41-49 vote split mirrored party lines, leaving the agency in limbo. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats rejected Republicans’ effort to fully fund DHS, marking another stalemate in the budget dispute.

The administration has attributed the shutdown to Democratic actions, labeling it the “Democrat DHS shutdown.” Despite this, funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a DHS component, remained intact. The agency received $75 billion in additional support through the president’s “big, beautiful bill,” passed last year.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York, have advocated for reforms at ICE, including ending indiscriminate arrests, banning mask-wearing by officers, and addressing racial profiling concerns.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering transportation, space, medical, and consumer issues. Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.