President Donald Trump has promised to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents (TSA) due to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has been in place for six weeks. The move is seen as an escalation in the White House's involvement in the funding standoff. The White House had reportedly begun considering unilateral action to pay TSA officers if it could not resolve the impasse over the DHS budget. The financial toll on TSA workers has been high, with nearly 500 officers leaving and over 3,000 scheduled employees missing work. The president also criticised Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer for their stance, claiming they have made it clear where they stand.