Elon Musk said he would be willing to pay the salaries of TSA agents affected by the government shutdown, as many workers have gone weeks without pay and some have stopped showing up, leading to long airport lines.
The billionaire made the offer publicly, saying he wanted to help during a funding impasse that is disrupting travel across the country.
At the same time, Donald Trump warned that TSA agents could be replaced with ICE personnel if Congress fails to reach a deal.
The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security, which remains unfunded as lawmakers continue to debate immigration policies. Although the shutdown began on January 30, TSA workers received their first zero-dollar paycheck in mid-March.
According to DHS data, around 10% of TSA agents missed work this week, with absence rates reaching up to 20% at some airports. The agency employs roughly 50,000 workers, with starting salaries around $40,000 per year.
Despite Musk’s offer, federal law makes it highly unlikely to happen, as only the US government can issue salaries and agencies are not allowed to accept private funding for payroll.
As disruptions grow and tensions rise, pressure is mounting on Congress to resolve the funding crisis and restore operations.