More than 1,000 TSA workers have resigned since the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse began over two months ago, the agency announced on Monday. The departures come just as the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup this summer, raising concerns about airport security staffing.
Impact on Summer Travel and World Cup
The DHS posted on social media: “Ahead of the FIFA World Cup and summer travel, this loss has SIGNIFICANTLY decreased TSA’s ability to meet passenger demand and left critical gaps in staffing, as each new recruit requires 4-6 MONTHS of training.” The State Department expects up to 10 million international visitors during the World Cup, and if the shutdown continues, fans traveling to the 11 U.S. host cities could face long lines and delays at security checkpoints.
History of the Shutdown
The DHS funding lapse began in mid-February after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement. TSA employees have been working without pay, leading to widespread disruptions. President Donald Trump earlier this month directed DHS to pay staff using funds from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” spending package. However, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that this emergency funding could run out by early May if the shutdown persists.
“That money is dried up, if I continue down this path, the first week of May, because my payroll through DHS is just over $1.6 billion every two weeks,” Mullin told Fox News. “There is no more emergency fund, so the president can’t do another executive order for us to use money, because there’s no more money there.”
The Independent has contacted DHS for comment.
Previous Shutdown and Staffing Challenges
Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told Congress last month that approximately 1,110 TSA officers quit during the previous government shutdown, which lasted 43 days in October and November 2025. She noted that many TSA employees live “paycheck to paycheck,” making it difficult to afford necessities when pay is disrupted.
McNeill also warned about the impact on World Cup travelers: “We are anticipating a significant influx in passenger volume as fans travel through our airports to see the games. Even if TSA were to hire new officers upon conclusion of the DHS shutdown, those officers would not be able to work on the checkpoint until well after the World Cup has concluded.”
The loss of over 1,000 officers, combined with the lengthy training period for new recruits, means that security staffing shortages are likely to persist throughout the summer travel season, potentially causing significant disruptions for millions of passengers.
