TSA PreCheck shutdown: Global Entry TSA PreCheck shutdown questions surge during government shutdown (NPR)

Travelers are urgently searching phrases like tsa precheck shutdown, global entry, government shutdown, is tsa precheck suspended, and precheck suspended after a fast-moving policy swing inside the Department of Homeland Security triggered confusion at airports and ports of entry. Here’s the clearest picture of what is happening with tsa precheck, global entry tsa precheck shutdown, and related programs as of Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (ET).

TSA PreCheck shutdown: is TSA PreCheck suspended or still running?

Despite widespread posts claiming tsa precheck suspended or tsa pre check suspended, TSA PreCheck remains operational for most travelers. Over the weekend, DHS announced steps tied to the government shutdown that included a plan to pause expedited-lane operations. Hours later, DHS reversed course and said the tsa precheck program would continue with “no change for the traveling public,” while leaving room for adjustments if staffing pressures grow.

That nuance matters: the most accurate answer to is tsa precheck suspended is no, not broadly—but service levels can vary. Airport leaders can still consolidate lanes if staffing shortages rise, meaning a PreCheck member could see fewer dedicated lanes at certain times, even if the program itself is not “shut down.”

For travelers asking what to expect at security, the practical takeaway is simple: keep your boarding pass and Known Traveler Number details correct, arrive earlier than usual, and be ready for longer lines if an airport temporarily reduces the number of dedicated PreCheck lanes.

Global Entry suspension: what’s paused and why it feels bigger than PreCheck

While TSA PreCheck continues, the bigger disruption is global entry suspension. DHS implemented emergency measures during the government shutdown that halted Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports beginning 6:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

That affects travelers re-entering the U.S. from international trips, especially at major gateways where Global Entry kiosks and lanes dramatically reduce wait times. It also affects the pipeline that keeps the program running smoothly: enrollment steps such as interviews and processing can slow or pause when staffing and resources are reallocated.

This is why searches for global entry tsa precheck shutdown are spiking: one program is largely staying open, while the other is meaningfully constrained.

Government shutdown and TSA: what’s driving the disruption

The current government shutdown impacting DHS began on February 14, 2026 (ET) after funding talks stalled. TSA officers are generally considered essential, meaning screening continues—but a shutdown can create operational strain as pay and staffing pressures build.

DHS has also cut certain “courtesy” services at airports to conserve personnel, and has signaled it may shift resources toward general screening lines. That explains why travelers are seeing warnings that sound like tsa shutdown even though airports are still operating.

The core issue isn’t whether TSA exists during a shutdown—it does. The issue is whether optional speed-and-convenience programs can be supported at full strength while staffing and budgeting tighten.

DHS suspends TSA PreCheck? What happened during the weekend reversal

Searches like dhs suspends tsa precheck reflect a real sequence of events: DHS announced a pause plan, then reversed it. That rapid change created a lasting rumor that precheck suspended permanently, even though the current posture is that tsa precheck remains available.

The updated approach is best described as “operational, with flexibility.” That means:

• PreCheck is still recognized on boarding passes for eligible travelers.

• Dedicated PreCheck lanes can still exist and function normally.

• Airports may make temporary lane adjustments if staffing constraints emerge.

So if you’re asking is tsa precheck shut down, the most accurate answer right now is no, but you should expect variability from airport to airport.

Is CLEAR suspended? Is CLEAR affected by TSA shutdown?

Questions like is clear suspended and is clear affected by tsa shutdown are rising because CLEAR sits next to TSA checkpoints at many airports. CLEAR is a private identity verification service, not a DHS program.

There is no broad, confirmed suspension of CLEAR operations tied to the DHS funding shutdown. However, CLEAR users can still experience delays because the bottleneck often becomes TSA document check, physical screening capacity, or reduced lane staffing—factors that can worsen during a shutdown even if CLEAR itself is open.

Status snapshot for travelers (ET)

If you’re traveling soon, the best move is to plan for longer lines, keep your trusted traveler information accurate, and build buffer time—especially for international arrivals where global entry suspension is the key pressure point.