In a significant escalation of the ongoing partial government shutdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has warned that TSA PreCheck could be suspended nationwide as the department prioritizes standard security lanes due to mounting staffing shortages.
The warning, delivered during a CNN interview on February 25, 2026, comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its second week without congressional funding. While a previous attempt to shutter the popular expedited screening program over the weekend was briefly walked back following White House intervention, Noem signaled that a total suspension remains on the table if “call outs” from unpaid TSA officers continue to rise.
The Battle Over “Trusted Traveler” Programs
The controversy began on Saturday, February 21, when the DHS announced it would immediately suspend both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. The move was framed as an “emergency measure” to refocus limited personnel on the general traveling public. However, by Sunday morning, the department partially reversed course on PreCheck, stating the program would remain operational on a “case-by-case basis” at individual airports.
Despite the reprieve for PreCheck, Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program remains paused, leaving millions of international travelers facing significantly longer wait times at customs and passport control.
“We prioritize security lanes as we can staff them,” Noem told CNN’s Manu Raju. “The ones that use the most travelers, which is the standard lanes, will be prioritized because most of the traveling public goes through those lanes.”
Political Fallout and “Weaponization” Claims
The decision to target programs relied upon by over 30 million vetted travelers has sparked a firestorm on Capitol Hill. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of “weaponizing” the government and using travelers as “political footballs” to force a deal on immigration enforcement funding.
Representative Bennie Thompson, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, slammed the move as a “sadistic political game,” noting that PreCheck and Global Entry actually reduce airport lines and ease the burden on staff. Industry groups have joined the chorus of criticism, with the U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America warning that the disruption could cause a “cascading negative impact” on the American economy.
Why the DHS is Shut Down
The current impasse is the third time the DHS has faced a funding lapse during the 119th Congress. The root of the conflict lies in a standoff over President Trump’s aggressive mass deportation campaign and the controversial “Operation Metro Surge.”
Senate Democrats have withheld funding in an effort to secure reforms following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January. While the rest of the federal government remains funded through fiscal year 2026, the DHS is operating on the brink, with approximately 272,000 employees working without pay or with only partial checks expected by the end of February.
The Human Toll on TSA Workers
While the political debate focuses on traveler convenience, the real-world consequences for DHS employees are becoming dire. Most of the 61,000 TSA employees are considered “essential” and must report to work without a paycheck.
“During a shutdown, the ability to pay for rent, bills, groceries, and childcare becomes very challenging,” a TSA union representative told CNN. As the shutdown persists, the agency anticipates a surge in “unscheduled absences” as workers are forced to seek alternative income or struggle to afford the gas needed to commute to the airport.
What Travelers Should Expect
For now, TSA PreCheck lanes remain open at most major hubs, but travelers are advised to check the official TSA website and arrival times frequently.
Key changes already in effect include:
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Global Entry Suspended: Arrival processing at participating airports is largely halted.
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No Courtesy Escorts: Secretary Noem has suspended “special privilege” escorts for members of Congress to focus all personnel on passenger screening.
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FEMA Scaling Back: Non-essential FEMA activities have been paused to focus exclusively on immediate life-saving disaster response.
As the shutdown drags on, the “bare-minimum” operations at the DHS suggest that even if PreCheck remains, the efficiency of American air travel is facing its most severe test in years.
