Karoline Leavitt blasts Democrats over DHS shutdown: 'It's a complete disgrace'

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Democrats over the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.

She took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a screenshot of a news headline about TSA officers quitting their jobs, saying that Democrats are “proudly” causing pain to the people of America and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. 

Leavitt also dubbed the Democrats' decision to keep DHS closed a “complete disgrace.”

More than 300 employees have left since the start of the DHS shutdown. TSA officials have previously warned that funding gaps could have lasting effects on the workforce, as employees struggling to meet basic expenses might quit their jobs.

Karoline Leavitt calls out Democrats over rising TSA absences

Leavitt shared a CBS News headline from Tuesday, March 10, that read, "TSA absences double during shutdown, 300 officers quit, as some airports see longer security lines." In the caption, she said, "The Democrats are proudly inflicting this pain on the American people and TSA officers by keeping the Department of Homeland Security shut down. It’s a complete disgrace."

Her criticism comes after the publication's report showed that TSA officers are missing work at twice the usual rate during the DHS shutdown. Some airports, like Houston’s Hobby Airport, are seeing nearly half of their officers absent.

This shortage is making security checks slower and causing longer lines for passengers. Around 50,000 TSA employees have had to work without pay since the shutdown started on February 14.

Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump "wants the Department of Homeland Security to be fully funded and fully reopened." She also urged Americans affected by the shutdown to "call your Democrat member of Congress and tell them to fund the Department of Homeland Security."

TSA absences soar during DHS shutdown

As per CBS News, new data from the Transportation Security Administration shows that many TSA officers are missing work during the DHS shutdown.

1. Nationwide:

-Average unscheduled absences are 6%, up from 2% before the shutdown.

-Some days were higher, reaching 9% on February 23, 8% on March 6, and 7% on March 9.

2. At Major Airports:

- Houston’s Hobby Airport: 53% of officers were absent on March 8 and 47% on March 9.

- John F Kennedy International Airport: 21% absent, the highest among big airports.

3. Other airports affected:

- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson: 19%

- Houston Hobby (overall): 18%

- New Orleans Louis Armstrong: 14%

- Pittsburgh International: 13%

4. During Extreme Weather:

On February 23, a blizzard caused massive callouts: JFK: 77% absent, Newark Liberty: 53% absent. The numbers show the shutdown is putting huge pressure on TSA staffing and slowing down airport security.

DHS funding talks stalled over immigration dispute

Democrats have said they are willing to fund most parts of the DHS if it does not include immigration enforcement agencies, especially after the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis. This incidents increased mass protests against agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The main disagreement is over how ICE and CBP should operate and whether reforms or stricter rules should be attached to their funding. Democrats have made clear that they will only support DHS funding if these changes are included.

The White House has labeled the situation a “Democrats’ Reckless DHS Shutdown,” blaming the party for not agreeing to terms that would allow a funding deal.