President Donald Trump‘s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has quickly reversed its earlier announcement about suspending TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at airports nationwide amid a partial government shutdown.
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TSA officials have since stated:
“At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly. Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies.”
Before the reversal, The Washington Post reported that DHS began suspending TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at all U.S. airports amid the partial government shutdown. The suspension began this morning (Sunday February 22), around 6 a.m.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told CNN that the government agency is temporarily halting TSA PreCheck and Global Entry — two of the most widely used and trusted-traveler programs in the United States.
Noem said the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Patrol “are focusing on the general traveling public at our airports and ports of entry.” Noem’s statement also said, “Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.”
The statement continued, “The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians.”
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Democrats Condemn Homeland Security Suspending TSA PreCheck And Global Entry Amid Partial Government Shutdown
The initial move to suspend operations marked a significant escalation in how the DHS shutdown can impact travelers nationwide. According to reports, the partial government shutdown is affecting only the Department of Homeland Security and began as of February 14. It arrives after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement amid a standoff over immigration enforcement policy and crackdowns.
Meanwhile, DHS employees deemed essential, including an estimated 63,000 TSA agents, have continued working without pay.
Democrats on X have condemned the move and said:
“TRUMP’S DHS IS PUNISHING TRAVELERS. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry reduce lines and ease the burden on DHS staff, but Kristi Noem and her ‘confidant’ Corey Lewandowski are kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure. They’re ruining your travel on purpose.”
Per CNN, as of Sunday morning, travelers were still able to pass through lines servicing both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles Airport near Washington, DC.
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