Politics

Question of the Week: Unpaid TSA workers vs. changing ICE tactics

Department of Homeland Security workers are missing a paycheck as part of a showdown between Democrats and President Trump. Should Democrats cave? It’s our newsletter question of the week for March 15, 2026 Under a deal to end the last federal government shutdown, everything else is being funded except the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),…

Holiday travel at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
(USA Today via Reuters Connect)

Department of Homeland Security workers are missing a paycheck as part of a showdown between Democrats and President Trump. Should Democrats cave? It’s our newsletter question of the week for March 15, 2026

Under a deal to end the last federal government shutdown, everything else is being funded except the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which sits atop Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats want President Trump and Republicans to reform the violent ICE militia activity that is leaving American citizens and immigrants harassed, detained, and even murdered. Trump and GOP lawmakers have rejected every Democratic offer to resume DHS and TSA paychecks in return for changes to immigration enforcement. 

If you have a suggestion for some kind of middle ground, we’d love to hear about it.

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Pat Kreitlow
Pat Kreitlow Founding Editor
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