(updated on 04/02/2026 @ 11:46 a.m.)
Suggested Reading
TSA workers across the country went weeks without paychecks as the partial government shutdown continues to impact every agency under the Department of Homeland Security. But after media mogul Tyler Perry attempted to ease the financial stress for some workers, higher-ups at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport moved to shut him down.
Now, however, a spokesperson for Perry confirmed to WSB-TV News that TSA’s legal team is now fully on board with the billionaire’s plan to distribute hundreds of dollars in gift cards to Hartsfield-Jackson employees.
TSA workers began receiving their paychecks on March 30 after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pay the thousands of airport employees. Before the president’s March 27 order, however, Perry stepped in to try to save the day.
According to 11 Alive, Perry pulled up to Hartsfield-Jackson to try to hand out cash to employees but was immediately stopped. Federal law prohibits government employees from accepting cash offerings while on the clock, which is considered a bribe. Eventually, Perry returned with loads of gift cards, which TSA agents accepted during the shutdown. Perry’s team confirmed a total of $250,000 was handed out in gift cards– $1,000 each– to employees in Atlanta.
According to WNEP News, Perry worked with airport management and human resources before he started handing out the gift cards. In response, the airport’s federal security director raised multiple concerns. Still, sources told the outlet Perry’s gift was “a huge morale booster” amid the longest partial shutdown in American history as agents haven’t been paid since Feb. 14.
Republicans and Democrats have been pointing their fingers at each other as they continue to fail to agree on funding for DHS. We previously told you under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis was seen as a complete disaster. Two Americans, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were killed at the hands of ICE agents, and this ultimately forced Trump to pull the plug on the whole thing.
Democrats demanded funding for ICE be reallocated after their killings. Republicans on the other hand have refused… Cue the federal shutdown. It’s unclear exactly how many of the thousands of TSA employees have started to receive their six weeks worth of backpay. In the meantime, the shutdown continues.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.