Directive comes as ICE personnel assist with airport operations during prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump on Monday directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents not to wear masks while assisting at airports, as personnel have been deployed to support operations during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
ICE agents have been assigned to airports across the country to help manage passenger flow and staffing shortages affecting the Transportation Security Administration. The shortages have led to extended wait times and disruptions, with some TSA personnel reportedly absent during the shutdown.
In a public statement, Trump said he generally supports the use of masks by ICE agents during enforcement activities but made a distinction for their current role at airports. “I am a BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks as they search for, and are forced to deal with, hardened criminals, many of whom were let into our Country by Sleepy Joe Biden and his wonderful ‘Border Czar,’ Kamala (she never even went to the Border!), through their absolutely INSANE Open Border Policy,” Trump wrote in a post. “I would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports, etc. Thank you!”
The instruction applies specifically to ICE agents assisting with airport operations, where they are supporting TSA functions during the lapse in funding.
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has continued for more than a month, with no immediate resolution announced. The extended funding gap has affected staffing levels and operational capacity at transportation hubs, prompting the temporary reassignment of federal personnel to maintain airport functions.
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