Tom Homan told Tapper’s unpaid TSA agents ‘they can’t support their families’

White House chief Tom Homan said it’s ironic that TSA officials are struggling to pay rent and support their families while D.C. lawmakers remain at odds over funding for the Department of Homeland Security during a “State of the Union,” Sunday.

“These TSA officers are struggling. They can’t support their families or pay the rent,” Homan told Jake Tapper. “Your heart goes out to them because they are sitting right now working hard without being paid by members of Congress [who are] now he’s on vacation, I’m earning. It’s funny.”

Homan made the comments as a funding battle over DHS entered its sixth week, disrupting airport operations and leaving TSA officials and other Homeland Security employees without pay.

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“Well, as soon as Congress opens the government and funds the Department of Homeland Security, that’s what needs to happen,” said Homan. “But yes, I spoke with Secretary Markwayne Mullin yesterday. There is a plan for these TSA agents to pay. Hopefully tomorrow, Tuesday.”

Homan made it clear, however, that he sees the TSA’s payment issue as part of the problem. He pointed out that some DHS workers are still going unpaid even when TSA officials start receiving checks.

“The agents that pay TSA don’t pay the entire Department of Homeland Security,” Homan said. “You have the Coast Guard, you have men and women [of the] The Secret Service, you’ve got a lot of people working for Homeland Security [who] leaders.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 29: Border Patrol Chief Tom Homan speaks during a news conference about ongoing immigration enforcement on January 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Tapper also asked Homan if President Donald Trump had been paying agents all along, “Why are you starting to do it now?”

“Look, I don’t understand,” said Homan. “I’m a cop. I don’t understand all the language of appropriations, budget legislation. I’m glad President Trump can afford to pay TSA agents. At least that’s a start.”

Homan also said the administration still relies on ICE agents at airports to help with security and staff pressures. Tapper noted that ICE agents were sent to airports last week, and long lines remain a problem.

“We’ll see,” Homan said when asked if ICE agents will go to airports once TSA officials start getting paid. “It depends on how many TSA agents go back to work, how many TSA agents just quit and don’t have a plan to go back to work.”

Trump’s border boss Tom Homan, left, ICE raids Georgia Hyundai plant, right. (Getty/ATF)

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Homan pointed out that ICE officials help with ID checks, exit coverage and other support tasks that allow TSA employees to focus on screening operations.

“They check the ID before you go for the test,” Homan said. “We’re plugging some security holes. We want to keep the airport safe.”

Homan argued that ICE’s presence has produced measurable results, as critics have questioned whether deployments can effectively solve the overcrowding.

“The waiting lines are down,” Homan said. “I was in Houston, the wait lines are down by about half. We got more agents to go to Baltimore yesterday to get those lines down.”

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Trump signed a memorandum on Friday directing DHS to begin paying TSA workers, and administration officials said workers could begin being paid as soon as Monday or Tuesday.