By Damian Paletta
Good morning. Traveling was already stressful enough.
When checkpoints feel like chokepoints, well, Americans can only handle so much.
If you are rage-reading this in a TSA line, here's the back story: Congress missed a Feb. 13 deadline to fund DHS and TSA (that was two weeks before President Trump struck Iran, so, the equivalent of 3,000 Washington news cycles). The standoff was related to ICE and had nothing to do with TSA, but they are both parts of DHS. So TSA employees have now missed multiple paychecks, and many have decided to either quit or call in sick.
Add in that it's spring break for millions of stir-crazy Americans, and a number of airports are struggling. Really struggling.
In Washington, when there is a seemingly unsolvable mess, the best bet is to look for the offramps. What outcome might give both sides (in this case, Republicans and Democrats) a way to claim victory but make the problem "go away"?
That's not so easy today. Republicans presented Trump with a proposal over the weekend to fund TSA and other programs, but he rejected it. He wants TSA money packaged with a separate bill related to election rules, among other things. However, Senate negotiators said late Monday they were finally nearing a deal, though much could yet go wrong.
Things can happen fast in Washington, and the tragic collision between a plane and firetruck Sunday night at New York City's LaGuardia Airport might jolt political leaders into action. It's also unclear what the arrival of ICE agents at airports will mean for the politics of the moment.
Still, the chaos and confusion swirling around American airports this week could lead to a real populist backlash against Washington. Just months ahead of the midterms.
This is an edition of the Politics newsletter, bringing you an expert guide to what's driving D.C. every day. If you're not subscribed, sign up here.
People and Policies I'm Watching
Iran War: Follow live updates as Iran presses its assault amid diplomatic efforts to end the war and maps show how the conflict is widening.
Congress: The Senate is expected to hold its third attempt to rein in Trump's military campaign in Iran, with the latest effort sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.). The last two Democratic resolutions were blocked from advancing largely along party lines.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: The Oklahoma lawmaker (and former MMA fighter) is expected to shift DHS in a more low-key direction after the often-chaotic leadership of Kristi Noem, following his confirmation by the Senate on Monday.
Trump's Tuesday: After "executive time" at 8 a.m. Eastern time, the president is to swear in Mullin as DHS secretary at 1:30 p.m. before participating in policy meetings at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and signing time at 5 p.m.
What I'm Following
A diplomatic back channel in the Mideast led to Trump's U-turn on Iran. Foreign ministers from Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan gathered before dawn Thursday in Riyadh, looking for an off-ramp to the war in Iran. Soon one of the diplomats opened a channel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and those quiet discussions laid the groundwork for Trump's abrupt reversal as he backed off his threat to wipe out Iran's power stations and instead embraced diplomacy.
As the partial government shutdown continued, ICE deployed to airports. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest by passenger volume, TSA lines were painfully long and Homeland Security officers, some carrying rifles, stood guard nearby. Trump said Monday that he would consider sending in the National Guard if the ICE presence isn't enough to get the lines under control, and he encouraged ICE agents to forgo masks while at airports.
The Supreme Court sounded skeptical about mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. During a lively hearing Monday, key conservative justices appeared sympathetic to arguments from the Trump administration and the Republican Party that all ballots must be in the hands of election officials by Election Day to count. A decision saying so would strike down laws in 14 states that allow a grace period for mailed ballots to arrive, provided that voters drop them in the mail by Election Day.
What Else Is Happening
-- The Pentagon introduced new restrictions on press access days after a
federal judge ruled that key elements of the limits it introduced last
year were unconstitutional.
-- The real power play for Trump accounts is to stuff them with money each
year, then convert them into Roth IRAs for long-term tax savings.
-- U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf are inching toward joining the fight
against Iran.
-- Residents of Israel's northern border stay put despite Hezbollah fire.
What I'm Reading
-- ICE Agents Deployed to O'Hare as TSA Agents Remain Unpaid (Chicago
Tribune)
-- Artist Behind Christopher Columbus Statue Calls White House Installation
'Surreal' (Baltimore Sun)
-- Long Lines, Hourslong Waits Worsen at Atlanta Airport as Shutdown Drags
On (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
About Me
I'm Damian Paletta, The Wall Street Journal's Washington coverage chief. I've covered Washington for 22 years as a reporter and editor. I've covered the White House, Congress, national security, the federal budget, economics and multiple market meltdowns.
WSJ Politics brings you an expert guide to what's driving D.C., every weekday morning. Send your feedback to politics@wsj.com (if you're reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply). This edition was curated and edited in collaboration with Joe Haberstroh and Michael Connolly. Got a tip for us? Here's how to submit.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 24, 2026 06:59 ET (10:59 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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