President Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal would cut 8,385 positions from the Transportation Security Administration, including 2,462 Transportation Security Officer jobs, while proposing a $477.3 million increase in funding for private screening contracts.

The White House requested a TSA budget of $11.7 billion, including 53,199 positions and 50,398 full-time equivalents, representing a reduction of 8,385 positions and 9,439 FTEs from the FY2026 annualized continuing resolution. The proposal builds on renewed interest in privatizing airport security that intensified during the recent government shutdown, when TSA staffing shortages led to hours-long security lines and widespread flight delays.

What the Left Is Saying

Democrats and labor groups have forcefully opposed the privatization push, arguing that shifting screening to contractors would prioritize profit over security and put travelers at risk.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents most TSA workers, has led the opposition. Johnny Jones, AFGE TSA Council 100 secretary treasurer and AFGE Local 1040 president, said at a press conference: 'I would not personally want to fly if I knew the whole entire system was privatized because it's just not safe for the American people.' Jones characterized the push to privatize security as an effort to 'put profit before people and security' and emphasized that privatization has 'nothing to do with your security or your safety. It everything to do with somebody making a profit.'

AFGE officials said they would fight the effort, stating: 'This is something we have expected, it is part of Project 2025. We take this threat very seriously and will be in the fight to ensure it doesn't happen.'

The recent DHS funding lapse, which left TSA officers working without pay for weeks, resulted in more than 500 officer resignations and thousands skipping shifts daily. Critics argue this underscores the need for a stable federal workforce, not further destabilization through privatization.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservatives have long advocated for outsourcing airport security, arguing that private contractors would cut costs and improve operational efficiency. The Trump administration has echoed this position in its latest budget request.

A White House Office of Management and Budget spokesperson said in a statement: 'For more than 20 years, TSA's Screening Partnership Program has allowed participating airports to contract screening services to qualified private companies. These companies operate under federal oversight, complying with all TSA security standards, while delivering an exceptional experience for travelers.' The statement added that expanding the program 'has been proposed in several of President Trump's budgets, and it has worked well in the airports where it is already operational.'

The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint called for privatizing TSA, estimating the government could save up to 20 percent by outsourcing screening operations. The FY2027 budget proposal says the shift 'would yield cost savings compared to Federal screening and begin reform of a troubled Federal agency.'

Twenty airports currently participate in the Screening Partnership Program. Proponents note these airports largely avoided disruptions during the recent DHS shutdown because their workers are paid through pre-funded federal contracts, arguing this model is less exposed during funding lapses.

What the Numbers Show

The FY2027 budget request includes $11.7 billion for TSA, a reduction of 8,385 positions and 9,439 FTEs from FY2026 levels. The proposal cuts 2,462 TSO positions and 4,351 TSO FTEs, with an additional 1,347 positions cut under 'workforce reshaping.'

The budget increases funding for the Screening Partnership Program by $477.3 million, while reducing TSO personnel costs and benefits by $529.3 million. The net reduction in federal screening positions totals approximately 6,813 positions when combining TSO and workforce reshaping cuts.

During the recent DHS funding lapse, more than 500 TSA officers resigned. Thousands more skipped shifts daily, contributing to extended security lines and flight delays across the country.

The 20 airports currently in the SPP program are generally smaller facilities. The largest U.S. air hubs, which handle the majority of passengers, remain under federal TSA screening.

The Bottom Line

The Trump administration's budget proposal represents the most significant push toward privatizing airport security since TSA's founding in 2001. If Congress approves the request, thousands of federal screening jobs would be eliminated while private contractors would take over operations at more airports.

The proposal faces opposition from labor unions and Democrats who argue privatization compromises security. It has support from conservative policy groups who say private screening is more cost-effective and flexible.

The outcome will likely depend on congressional negotiations over the FY2027 budget. TSA has stated it 'will maintain all priority mission-critical positions to ensure operational effectiveness and mission continuity,' but the debate over federal versus private screening is expected to intensify as the budget process moves forward.