Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents help travelers through security at the Miami International Airport on May 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida.

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Andrew Stanton

By Andrew Stanton

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President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year called to begin the privatization of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.

John S. Pistole, who served as TSA administrator from 2010 through 2014, told Newsweek the proposal has some pros and some cons.

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“I think that some pieces, of course, go back to the Project 2025 proposal by The Heritage Foundation in terms of privatizing TSA and breaking up DHS operations,” he said in a phone interview. “It’s something consistent with what Trump and his backers have been talking about for a while.”

Pistole, who was nominated by then-President Barack Obama, said the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has “substantially accelerated or energized” thoughts about privatizing airports.

“I think we will see over the next six, nine, 12 months, at least a half dozen, maybe eight or 10, airports come in to become a privatized workforce under the current construct,” he said.

Why It Matters

The proposed change could have impacts for TSA workers and travelers across the country in small airports. Republicans for years have pushed for TSA privatization.

The proposal comes as TSA workers across the country have gone without pay for weeks amid the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown over reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) supported by Democrats. Travelers going through airports have faced long lines amid the shutdown as TSA workers have called out of work due to going without pay.

What To Know

The president released his budget proposal, prepared by Budget Director Russell Vought. The document is intended to provide a guide to lawmakers as they build their own budgets and appropriation bills to fund the government.

The White House posted the proposal online on Friday, which can be seen here.

The budget includes a major change for the TSA.

“The Budget begins the privatization of TSA’s airport screeners by requiring small airports to enroll in the Screening Partnership Program, under which TSA pays for private screeners at designated airports. The airports that already use this program have demonstrated savings compared to Federal screening operations. The move would yield cost savings compared to Federal screening and begin reform of a troubled Federal agency,” the document reads.

The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) is an already existing program allowing airports to contract "security screening services at commercial airports to qualified private companies," according to the TSA.

"These companies run screening operations under federal oversight and must comply with all TSA security screening procedures," the TSA reads.

It's currently used by about 20 airports, including the San Francisco International Airport.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents help travelers through security at the Miami International Airport on May 21, 2019, in Miami.

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Former TSA Administrator Reacts to Trump's Proposed Budget

Pistole told Newsweek the recent DHS shutdown could prompt “more and more airport operators” to explore the SPP because those airports have not experienced prolonged wait times as others. Several airports are likely to be considering applying to the program, he said.

“San Francisco, Kansas City being the two largest, didn't have those hour long waits as many the largest Category X…the largest airports that had those multiple hour waits,” Pistole said.

A benefit for airports is that if the workforce does not show up, they will be able to more easily fire and replace them, which does not happen with TSA, he added.

The major con is that many Americans feel airport security should not be outsourced to a private company with a profit motive, Pistole said.

“That's the main issue, at least when I was administrator, that it was a question of should additional airports be allowed or should there be legislation to basically do what this is doing to make the privatized default position and then the question is could an airport operator, airport authority, could they opt out to stay as a government. And that would be cumbersome, I think convoluted,” he said.

Which Airports Are Already Part of the Screening Partnership Program?

According to the TSA, the following airports are part of the SPP:

What Is in Donald Trump's Budget Proposal?

Trump’s budget proposed boosting defense spending by $1.5 trillion. It also included additional support for the administration’s immigration enforcement and a 13 percent increase in funding for the Justice Department.

The budget also called for a $10 billion fund for “construction and beautification” projects in Washington, D.C. and $481 million to support aviation safety.

Many programs would also be cut under the program. This includes $15 billion in cuts in infrastructure funding passed during the Biden administration for environmental justice programs and climate change grants to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.

Update 4/3/26, 12:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

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