Homeland Security Secretary Noem announces $10K bonuses for TSA employees who worked during shutdown

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday announced that thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents will receive $10,000 bonuses for working during the government shutdown. 

TSA workers were among the over one million federal employees who continued to work during the 42-day shutdown without pay. Government workers receive back pay after shutdowns end, but are not paid during them because of the lapse in federal funding. 

Noem said in a news conference that the TSA workers showed "exemplary service" by stepping up during the shutdown by covering additional shifts and will be receiving the bonus on top of their promised paychecks.

"We are not only going to continue their paychecks like they should’ve received all along, but also they’re going to receive a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day, for serving the American people,” she vowed. "[We] will be looking at every single TSA official that helped serve during this government shutdown and do what we can to recognize that and help them financially with a bonus to get them and their family back on their feet.”

The comments come after President Donald Trump promised on Monday to give all air traffic controllers who did not call in sick during the shutdown an extra $10,000 bonus check. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.