US EditionTrump proposes to begin privatizing TSA screening operations
- President Donald Trump proposed on Friday privatizing Transportation Security Administration airport screening operations, with the White House budget cutting $52 million and requiring small airports to enroll in a private screener program.
- Last year, the White House sought a $247 million cut, saying the TSA has "consistently failed audits while implementing intrusive screening measures that violate Americans' privacy and dignity." These criticisms underscore long-standing concerns about agency performance.
- Budget documents released Friday indicate airports already using privatization programs have demonstrated cost savings compared to federal screening operations, providing financial evidence supporting the administration's proposal.
- Privatization could help remove the TSA from future Congress funding fights, potentially addressing recent disruptions when unpaid officers caused daily absences of 10% or more, leading more than 500 to quit.
- The TSA screened 904 million passengers in 2024, a 5% increase over 2023, as the Biden administration had expanded the agency to nearly 60,000 employees amid rising air travel demand.
16 Articles
16 Articles
White House Budget Calls for Increased Privatization of Airport Security Screening
The Trump administration has proposed privatizing some airport security operations currently handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as the agency recovers from the impact of a partial government shutdown. The proposal is part of the White House’s 92-page budget request for fiscal 2027, released Friday. It calls for moving smaller airports into the existing Screening Partnership Program, under which TSA pays private contract…
The White House is pushing to cut the TSA's budget, which has 50,000 employees, by $52 million.
Trump Calls for Privatization of Airport Security
President Trump proposed privatizing airport security, cutting TSA's budget by $52 million. Smaller airports are to use private screeners, as some have shown cost savings over federal operations. The Biden administration increased TSA employees in response to record-high air travel in 2024.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
