Noem Hands Out $10,000 Checks to TSA Agents Who Worked During Shutdown
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that thousands of Transportation Security Administration agents will each receive a $10,000 bonus for continuing to work through the record-setting 44-day government shutdown. The gesture, described by Noem as a show of appreciation for “exemplary service,” comes alongside the restoration of missed paychecks for over a million federal workers.
Standing with TSA agents at a press conference, Noem praised their commitment. “We are not only going to continue their paychecks like they should’ve received all along,” she said, “but also they’re going to receive a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day, for serving the American people.”
She emphasized that every TSA employee who worked through the shutdown would be reviewed for bonus eligibility and praised their dedication during a period that strained the country’s airport security infrastructure. Noem personally handed out some of the first checks to agents present at the event.
Air travel was severely impacted during the shutdown. The FAA warned of significant disruptions due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, at one point planning to reduce air traffic at 40 major airports by up to 10%. While President Trump signed a bill late Wednesday to end the shutdown, industry officials noted that it could take days for airline operations to return to normal.
President Trump also weighed in, promising $10,000 bonus checks to air traffic controllers who remained on duty. “For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person,” he said on Truth Social.
The president took aim at those who had called in sick or found temporary jobs to make ends meet. “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” Trump said. “You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record.”
Noem’s move marks one of the first major post-shutdown actions aimed at rewarding federal workers, signaling a broader effort by the Trump administration to recognize those who stayed on the job amid the political standoff.