President Trump has vowed to end the long-running pay dispute with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which has affected travel through U.S. airports.
In a post on social media, Mr Trump said he would issue an executive order to ensure the TSA agents got paid “immediately”.
Declaring an “unprecedented emergency situation”, the President reportedly signed the order on Friday, authorising the rerouting of federal funds to pay airport security workers.
“It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!,” he wrote, blaming the Democrats for the impasse.
“I want to thank our hardworking TSA Agents and also, ICE, for the incredible help they have given us at the Airports.
“I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do!”
Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, began paying TSA agents immediately after the President signed the order, according to a report in USA TODAY.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the TSA, has been unfunded since February after the U.S. Congress failed to reach a budget agreement.
The deadlock has stretched on for months and centres on disagreements over pay equity, union rights and funding allocations for TSA officers.
Employees and union representatives have argued that TSA workers – responsible for safeguarding millions of air travellers each day – have historically been underpaid compared to other federal security personnel.
Negotiations with federal authorities have repeatedly stalled, raising concerns about staff retention, morale and airport security efficiency.
Industry analysts suggest that such high-profile political attention could accelerate negotiations, particularly as air travel demand continues to rebound and staffing shortages remain a concern.
