President Donald Trump has again warned that he will send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports across the United States unless Democratic lawmakers meet his demands by this Monday. Trump said if Democrats don’t act, he will “make good” on his threat and deploy ICE agents to handle airport security.
Trump’s Message and Deadline
Trump used his social media platform Truth Social to issue a strict deadline for Democrats to take action. He wrote that if Democrats “do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country,” then ICE would step in and “do the job far better than ever done before!”
Trump called Democratic lawmakers “Fascist Democrats” and accused them of failing to protect the country, claiming Republicans would do a better job. He also said, “Just like the Radical Left allowed millions of Criminals to pour into our Country through their ridiculous and dangerous Open Border Policy,” but that Republicans had now closed the border and created “the Strongest Border in American History.”
In his posts, Trump said he had told ICE to “GET READY” and declared, “NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”
Link to the Government Shutdown
This threat comes during the ongoing partial government shutdown, which began after Democrats refused to fund ICE without reforms following controversy over the agency’s enforcement practices. Just hours before issuing the Monday deadline, Trump first announced his plan to deploy ICE agents if no funding deal was reached.
Trump’s criticism wasn’t only aimed at Democrats. He also claimed that the shutdown has hurt the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA (Transportation Security Administration) officers, and he called the situation “an absolute disgrace.”
What Trump Is Demanding
Trump wants Congress — particularly Democratic lawmakers — to fund DHS fully and pass his priorities for immigration and border enforcement. He has repeatedly pushed for stronger border measures and more resources for ICE, and is using the airport security threat as leverage to get Democrats to agree to his terms.
Reaction From Both Sides
So far, Democrats have remained firm that they will not fund ICE without reforms to the agency’s policies. They say changes are needed before more money or support can be given, especially after concerns about how ICE carries out immigration enforcement.
Republicans and Trump allies argue that the shutdown is hurting national security and public safety, and that TSA officers and airport security need more support immediately.
