Hello, I’m Nikole Killion filling in for Major Garrett. Welcome to The Takeout.
Airports, TSA and the shutdown
Airport delays have surged as TSA absences and resignations pile up during a partial government shutdown. At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, passengers waited up to four hours. Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson saw 37% of TSA staff call out; across the country more than 450 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began and over 3,200 called out on one recent day. TSA training takes months, and officials warn repeated shutdowns risk more resignations and long‑term staffing gaps.
At Houston, reporter Nicole Sganga described long lines, limited air‑conditioning and travelers rebooking flights in cramped subway corridors. Many passengers blamed lawmakers; one urged members of Congress to “come out here and get in line.” ICE personnel and airport staff have been directing travelers and handing out water, but ICE cannot replace trained TSA officers one‑for‑one.
On Capitol Hill, Republican senators offered a proposal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security while separating funding for ICE’s enforcement and removal operations — a move aimed at breaking the impasse. Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Tim Kaine, said the proposal did not meet their demands for broader immigration reform. Senate negotiators said they might fund HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) while routing ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) through reconciliation. The House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has favored fully funding DHS, would still need to act if the Senate agrees.
Politics and border policy
House Republicans who back funding the full department urge Democrats to stop “moving the goalposts.” Some conservatives worry about pairing immigration reforms with other measures, including voting‑integrity provisions. Democrats insist they will press for removing ICE entirely from the funding bill and want CBP (Customs and Border Protection) funding addressed as well. Negotiations hinge on leverage and looming recess timelines.
Trump, Iran and possible talks
President Trump said members of his team — including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — were already engaged in talks with Iran, and he hinted other envoys, including private figures, were involved. Iran confirmed receiving a message via mediators and said it was a precursor to negotiations; Pakistan offered to host talks.
The president also said Iran had “given us a present” related to oil and the Strait of Hormuz, timing that drew attention after a suspicious surge in oil futures trading minutes before Trump announced a pause on strikes against Iranian power plants. Market watchers raised concerns about potential insider trading after a sudden spike in crude futures volume before the announcement; regulators have been quiet. Business analyst Jill Schlesinger called the trade jump “highly suspicious,” noting that such volume spikes normally trigger investigations by bodies like the CFTC or SEC.
National security commentary
Former CIA counterterrorism deputy Joe Zacks praised the diplomatic opening but warned Iran negotiators are tough, and any deal would take time. He advised continuing military pressure while avoiding strikes on Iranian infrastructure that could destabilize Gulf partners. Officials are watching which Iranian figures are involved; some reporting suggests parliament leaders or hardline intermediaries may be part of the contacts.
Marco Rubio testifies in Rivera trial
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in Miami federal court in the criminal trial of former Rep. David Rivera, who is accused of illegal lobbying for Venezuela. Rubio, once Rivera’s roommate and long‑time friend, told prosecutors he was unaware Rivera had been allegedly working for the Venezuelan regime. Rivera is accused of money‑laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent; he denies wrongdoing. Rubio’s appearance was notable as the first sitting cabinet member to testify in a criminal trial in decades.
Oddities in oil futures and betting markets
On Monday, oil futures trading volume jumped almost tenfold shortly before the White House announced a pause on strikes, then prices plunged. Jill Schlesinger and other analysts said the sequence looked like insider trading, and silence from regulators was “deafening.” Betting markets showed similar flows. The administration’s reduced regulatory emphasis and budget cuts to oversight agencies were cited as possible reasons probes aren’t moving quickly.
Anthropic and the Pentagon
Anthropic, an AI company, sued the Pentagon after being designated a national security supply‑chain risk. The Justice Department and former officials argued the Defense Department followed legal processes; Anthropic says the label violates its rights and reflected overreach. The dispute has practical consequences: the Pentagon struck a deal with a rival AI firm, but Anthropic’s models remain embedded in existing military technology and can’t be swapped overnight. The court will weigh whether the Defense Department followed required procedures and whether Anthropic is entitled to relief. Public downloads of Anthropic’s Claude have reportedly increased since the dispute surfaced.
Steve Bannon on ICE at airports and politics
Steve Bannon suggested deploying ICE agents at airports could serve as a “test run” ahead of political campaigns; he said ICE at polling places should ensure only citizens vote. Democratic leaders raised concerns about the implications; Republicans and some airport officials said ICE personnel were present to help with logistics and passenger services, not to perform TSA functions. Critics warned against “weaponizing” immigration enforcement in airports; proponents emphasized the need to relieve TSA so screening can proceed.
Taliban releases detainee; other brief items
– The Taliban released Dennis Coyle, detained in Afghanistan for over a year. Coyle’s family thanked the president for securing his release.
– CBS reporting found a deported Venezuelan who says he was abused in El Salvador’s CECOT prison is suing the U.S. for damages, seeking $1.3 million.
– The takeout closed with the political panel discussing the shutdown, DHS funding offers, and whether splitting ICE would pass the Senate.
That’s The Takeout for March 24.
