TSA agents in Atlanta told to return gift cards Tyler Perry handed out during shutdown: Report
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Amid the DHS shutdown, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have allegedly been asked to return the gift cards given by Tyler Perry a few days ago, igniting a fresh showdown.
Perry had distributed several gift cards worth $250,000, each valued at approximately $1,000, to TSA agents deployed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Federal security director asks agents to return gift cards
The Federal Security director has reportedly instructed TSA agents who received gift cards from Tyler Perry to return them. The director has raised concerns about the donation.
Over the weekend, TSA workers who received the gift cards were contacted and told they would need to return them, the outlet reported, quoting sources.
A DHS spokesperson blamed federal rules for mandating the return of gift cards. “TSA officers are prohibited from accepting gifts at screening locations. Even during a shutdown, cash or cash equivalents cannot be accepted on behalf of the agency.”
“The effects of the Democrats’ Reckless DHS shutdown are hitting frontline officers hard—some are sleeping in their cars, selling blood to make ends meet, and struggling to pay rent. Democrats must re-open DHS now,” the spokesperson said.
DHS shutdown leaves TSA agents unpaid
The ongoing partial government shutdown has left the Department of Homeland Security without funding, forcing TSA agents to work without pay for six weeks.
Due to non-payment of salaries, employees called out of work, increasing the callout rate by 10 per cent, and over 500 TSA workers have left the job.
Tyler Perry coordinates with airport officials to distribute gift cards
Tyler Perry reportedly first came with cash to distribute among TSA officers near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. But he was turned down because federal rules prohibit TSA officers from accepting gift cards.
Later, Perry and his team reportedly contacted airport officials and returned to the airport on Friday, March 27, to distribute gift cards to agents with the help of airport management and human resources.
Representatives for Perry reportedly worked through management, human resources and legal channels before returning to the airport to distribute the gift cards to TSA employees.
On the same day, when he donated gift cards to TSA officers, Donald Trump signed an executive order to release the funds to clear all current and due pay to TSA agents.
By Monday, March 30, some TSA officials received partial paychecks.
