Travel Disruptions Loom as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Face Suspension
The ongoing partial government shutdown is set to impact frequent flyers as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security halts TSA PreCheck and Global Entry services. These programs, which expedite security checks for registered travelers, are being paused, potentially leading to longer wait times and increased frustration at airports.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the broader implications of the shutdown, stating that “shutdowns have serious real world consequences.” In her announcement, she noted that the focus is now on prioritizing the general traveling population over special services such as “courtesy and special privilege escorts.”
The shutdown, which started on February 14, stems from a deadlock between Democrats and the Trump administration concerning funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Central to this impasse are the Democrats’ calls for changes in immigration policies, which are integral to President Donald Trump’s deportation strategy.
Critics, including members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, have voiced their concerns regarding the suspension of airport security programs. Via social media, they accused the administration of “kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure” and suggested that the disruptions might be an intentional strategy to “ruin your travel on purpose.”
FILE – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, right, shakes hands with Transportation Security Administration Officer Monica Degro at a news conference at Harry Reid International Airport, Nov. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. Ronda Churchill/AP
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
