Last week, President Trump threatened to shut down the nation’s airports when many TSA agents called out sick.
Over the weekend, Trump announced he is deploying ICE agents to control long lines at airports around the country.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed ICE agents have been deployed to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to assist TSA agents.
“According to federal officials, these personnel will be assigned to support operational needs directed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including line management and crowd control within the domestic terminals,” Dickens, a Democrat, said. “Federal officials have indicated that this deployment is not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.”
ICE agents are not trained to inspect carry-on bags for weapons or incendiary devices/liquids. They can only direct traffic and maintain the peace.
Mayor Dickens added that there have been no requests for assistance from the Atlanta Police Department.
Dickens promised the city remains committed to keeping travelers safe and informed.
“Our administration remains hopeful the federal government can soon find a way to fully fund TSA and pay their employees to resume standard operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — and all airports we connect to,” Dickens said.
TSA agents haven’t been paid in weeks due to the partial government shutdown. A TSA union leader said workers are facing “eviction notices” and “empty refrigerators”.
“The officers are p—ed off. They want this to end,” union leader Aaron Barker said during a press conference on Monday. “They’re ready to get back to some normalcy or some consistency within their lives.”
He blamed Democrats for three-hour lines at airports, PEOPLE reported.
President Trump also blamed Democrats for the chaos.
In a post on his Truth Social app, Trump wrote:
“The Democrat’s purposeful DHS SHUTDOWN is causing chaos at the airports. These Lunatics are being totally unreasonable in their Radical Left asks. They are FULLY TO BLAME, and must pay a big price, for the good of our Country, in the Midterm Elections. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
But critics say government shutdowns are a risk federal workers take when they accept their jobs. Critics argue that federal workers get better health insurance at cheaper rates than most working Americans. Federal workers should have money saved for situations like this.
