The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to seize thousands of dangerous items at airports across the country, even as the agency operates amidst a budget crisis that has forced nearly half of its workforce into furlough.
According to a report released on March 6, 2026, the TSA discovered and confiscated nearly 11,500 dangerous or prohibited items in 2025, including thousands of firearms, drugs, and many sophisticated disguised devices.
The budget crisis occurred after the U.S. Congress failed to pass a budget for the Department of Homeland Security, resulting in many TSA employees working in a furloughed status for approximately 42.8% of fiscal year 2026.
However, being classified as essential personnel, over 95% of TSA employees still had to report to work to maintain security operations at airports.
Thousands of guns and dangerous items intercepted at airports
In 2025, the TSA discovered:
- 6,669 firearms
- 2,190 cases of drug trafficking or prohibited goods
- 577 knives, blades, and concealed weapons
- 313 bomb threats
Many items were sophisticatedly disguised to bypass luggage scanners.
Notable cases included:
- A gun hidden in a passenger's belt at Miami Airport
- Methamphetamine hidden in a teddy bear at Los Angeles Airport
- A stun gun disguised as a phone
- A lighter designed to look like a grenade
- Ammunition hidden in a travel neck pillow
- Arrows and devices resembling fake explosives
The passengers involved were arrested or placed on security watchlists.
TSA employees working under financial pressure
Ha Nguyen McNeill, the official currently in charge of the TSA, stated that frontline employees continue to work despite not knowing when they will receive full pay.
According to her, many employees are facing:
- late fees for overdue bills
- risk of losing childcare services
- personal financial hardships
Nevertheless, this force maintains operations to ensure the safety of millions of passengers every day.
U.S. Congress remains in budget deadlock
The budget crisis stems from political disputes in Congress regarding the budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
On March 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill for DHS, including agencies such as:
- ICE
- FEMA
- TSA
However, a similar bill failed to pass in the Senate, with a vote of 51–45.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized Democrats for prolonging the budget freeze.
According to him, about 50,000 TSA employees are suffering financial impact while still having to secure the U.S. aviation system through coordinated measures with other security agencies.
