US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to US airports on Monday, amid a lingering budget standoff that has left regular security personnel going unpaid.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Democrats did not immediately sign a funding agreement, "I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before."

A couple of hours later, he posted that "I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.'"

The posts came hours after tech tycoon Elon Musk offered to cover the salaries of US airport security personnel who have been working without pay since mid-February because of the partial government shutdown.

The lapse in funding is forcing thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff – workers who screen airport passengers, baggage and cargo – to work without pay as spring travel picks up.

The agency, which operates under the authority of Department of Homeland Security (DHS), comprises about 65,000 employees, according to its website.

Democrats in Congress oppose any new funding for DHS until changes are implemented to how ICE conducts immigration enforcement raids.

Democrats have demanded curtailed patrols, a ban on face masks and a requirement that ICE agents obtain a judicial warrant before entering private property.

More than 300 TSA employees have quit since the shutdown began on February 14, according to the DHS, while US media reported unscheduled absences had more than doubled. (AFP)


Edited by Tony Sabine