Trump Proposes TSA Cuts, Privatization for Airports

The Trump administration has proposed significant cuts to the Transportation Security Administration's workforce and budget in its fiscal year 2027 request, advancing plans to privatize security screening at smaller U.S. airports. The Department of Homeland Security budget document outlines a reduction of 8,385 positions and 9,439 full-time equivalents from current levels, bringing TSA staffing to 53,199 positions and 50,398 full-time equivalents. This includes eliminating 2,462 Transportation Security Officer positions and 4,351 officer full-time equivalents, along with ending staffing at exit lanes to improve efficiency.

The proposal seeks a TSA budget of 11.7 billion, a roughly 20 percent decrease from the nearly 8 billion allocated previously, aiming to save over 500 million overall. A key element mandates participation in the Screening Partnership Program for smaller airports, where private contractors would handle screening under TSA oversight. The administration estimates this expansion could reduce costs by 529.3 million while saving a net 52 million, citing demonstrated savings at the 20 airports already using the program. Those facilities, including San Francisco...