Massive security lines at airports around the nation continue to grow as the Democrats hold the country hostage with their now month-old partial government shutdown. They are demanding major reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would kneecap the agency's ability to combat illegal immigration, and they’re willing to put the populace at risk to get them.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have gone without pay since February 13, and hundreds have quit or are unable to afford to come to work, resulting in massive delays.
As he promised, President Trump has now sent in ICE to help alleviate the situation, and on Monday, we saw that happening:
🚨 BREAKING: ICE agents are running full-blown PATROLS at JFK Airport as TSA lines remain astronomical
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 23, 2026
ICE is helping keep everyone safe, alleviating pressure off TSA agents who need to be screeners! 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/4dDY86lP0E
Here’s what we know:
- ICE deploys to airports: Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been deployed to 14 airports today to help during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The Transportation Security Administration has faced growing callouts from officers who have gone without pay since DHS funding lapsed in February.
- Growing travel woes: Travelers have been dealing with worsening airport wait times, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston warning flyers it could take more than four hours to get through. LaGuardia Airport in New York was reopened this afternoon after a fatal collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck. Track wait times at major airports here.
- No end to shutdown in sight: There are few signs lawmakers will reach an agreement to fund DHS, which includes TSA, ahead of a scheduled holiday break. President Donald Trump last night rejected a potential off-ramp to end the shutdown, sources told CNN, as he’s told Republicans to “only settle” if they can pass a federal elections overhaul bill.
MORE: White House Unloads on Dem Over Reprehensible, 'Moronic' ICE Claim
This kind of scene, which is now commonplace at airports across the nation, is what they’re facing:
🚨 JUST IN: Utter CHAOS at JFK airport with massive security lines while Democrats CONTINUE withholding TSA paychecks
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 23, 2026
Good thing ICE is surging across airports nationwide today!
We CAN’T allow Democrats’ hostage taking to work. HOLD THE LINE!
pic.twitter.com/z7Y0jjFXAJ
Meanwhile, Trump said it was his idea to post agents at the airports:
REPORTER: Whose idea was it to put ICE agents in the airports?@POTUS: "Mine... you know the story of the paper clip? 182 years ago, a man discovered the paper clip. It was so simple, and everybody that looked at it said, 'Why didn't I think of that?' ICE was my idea." pic.twitter.com/4P7Z7CE8yp
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026
One thing you can say about Trump: he’s definitely not afraid to think outside the box. We’ll have to see how effective this maneuver is, and if it helps calm the chaos. In the meantime, the Democrats seem happy to just let the situation worsen each day.
The scene wouldn't be complete without your stereotypical unhinged leftie protester:
🚨BREAKING: Leftist melting down at Newark airport, screaming “Nazis!” at ICE agents doing their job.
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) March 23, 2026
She needs one-way ticket on Jihad Air. pic.twitter.com/Tsfjq8geJ4
Leftists don’t care how many Americans their intransigence hurts; they just want to get their way at all costs.
Editor’s Note: Democrats are fanning the flames and raising the rhetoric by comparing ICE to the Gestapo, fascists, and secret police.
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