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Denver Airport Sparks Debate After Asking For Financial Support For Unpaid TSA Agents Amid Partial Shutdown
Democrats want reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while Republicans and the administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump want to add funds to the agency and maintain the status quo of poorly trained masked thugs terrorizing, abducting, and killing undocumented immigrants, documented immigrants, and United States citizens.
Democrats proposed five measures to approve funding for other agencies under DHS, including TSA. But the Senate GOP prefers keeping the workers unpaid to inconvenience Americans in a bid to force Democrats to give them everything they want for ICE.
According to Trump's DHS, hundreds of TSA workers have quit and others have taken unscheduled time off in order to work other jobs or save on childcare.
On social media, DHS posted claims that Democrats were responsible for any unfunded DHS agencies, but were met with immediate pushback on their claims.
The impasse leaves non-essential personnel at TSA furloughed and essential personnel unpaid.
In addition to TSA and ICE, DHS also includes Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
While Congress debates the issues that have plagued DHS since Trump's soon-to-be former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem took the reins, Denver International Airport (DEN) is asking both passengers and paid airport employees to donate $10 or $20 grocery store and gas gift cards for the unpaid TSA agents who continue to work in the airport daily.
Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said:
"Once again, DEN’s federal employees are working tirelessly to ensure our airport operates efficiently and safely without getting paid. That’s why we are calling on the public to donate grocery store and gas gift cards to help make this moment a little more bearable for these federal workers."
The airport made their request on X and Instagram as well as other communication channels.
DEN requested gift cards from local stores like Safeway, Walmart, Costco, and Target in $10 or $20 amounts—the limit for gifts for federal employees. Visa gift cards are not accepted due to federal ethics rules governing cash gifts.
People had thoughts on the request.
reply to @denairport/Instagram
reply to @DENAirport/X
Gift card collection bins have been placed in Denver's Jeppesen Terminal Great Hall and the airport’s Final Approach "cell phone waiting lot" and amenity building designed to provide free parking for drivers waiting for passengers to arrive.
To mitigate the situation nationwide, Denver's plea for donations is not alone. Calls for gift cards, as well as non-perishable food, hygiene products and infant supplies, have also been made by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
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Gavin Newsom Explains The Real Reason Trump Boasted That High Oil Prices Mean 'We Make A Lot Of Money'
Now he's singing a different tune altogether. In a Truth Social post, Trump argued that rising oil prices—which have climbed sharply amid the war— would benefit the U.S., saying that when prices go up, “we make a lot of money” because of the country’s energy dominance.
He wrote:
"The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping [sic] an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East, and indeed, the World."
"I won't ever let that happen! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
You can see Trump's post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
The national average price of gasoline stood at $2.94 per gallon the day after the Iran attack, according to GasBuddy. By Thursday, thanks to the volatility and supply disruption of crude oil due to Trump's war, it had climbed to $3.61, a 23% increase.
Gas prices had long been a key line of attack for Trump against former President Joe Biden. During Biden’s presidency, the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline briefly reached $5 before falling to about $3.09 by the time he left office.
The White House later issued a news release arguing that lower gas prices were delivering tangible savings, saying motorists were on track to spend $11 billion less on fuel in 2026 than the year before. According to the release, the average household would save hundreds of dollars annually.
Trump frequently highlighted specific locations where he claimed gasoline had dropped below $2 a gallon. Fact-checkers found those claims often exaggerated, though prices nationwide had indeed declined by more than 6% from the start of his new term until the outbreak of the war.
And Newsom, in a post via his official press office account, pointed out that Trump was ultimately telling on himself:
"Trump accidentally admits why he’s prolonging his Iran war: He’s thrilled to help corporations like Chevron and Exxon “make a lot of money” off of everyday Americans."
You can see Newsom's post below.
Others also criticized Trump's remarks.
Oil markets have swung sharply in recent days as traders assess the risk of further military escalation involving Iran and the potential for disruptions to global shipping routes. Analysts say prolonged instability could drive prices higher in the near term. By Friday afternoon, Brent crude was trading slightly above $95 per barrel.
Part of the price surge stems from growing concerns about tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage at the entrance to the Persian Gulf that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. While the strait falls under international maritime law, Iran maintains substantial influence over the corridor.
The waterway has never been completely shut down, though tanker traffic was disrupted during the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s. Recently, Iran has struck several vessels in the area and warned ships against entering the passage, effectively halting traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
