President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday directing the Department of Homeland Security to provide pay and benefits to all its employees amid a partial government shutdown that reached 49 days, the longest in U.S. history.

The order, titled "Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown," instructs Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to use available funds with a "reasonable and logical nexus" to DHS functions for compensation and benefits as if the lapse had not occurred. It mirrors a March 27 memorandum Trump signed to pay Transportation Security Administration workers, which began delivering back pay this week and eased airport security lines strained by callouts and resignations.

Trump announced the broader action Thursday on Truth Social, stating: "I will soon sign an order to pay ALL of the incredible employees at the Department of Homeland Security. Their families have suffered far too long at the hands of the Extreme Liberal ‘Leaders,’ Cryin’ Chuck Schumer and Hakeem ‘High Tax’ Jeffries." He praised Republican unity on funding while blaming Democrats for prioritizing "Open Borders and Zero Immigration Enforcement."

The DHS shutdown began on February 14 after Congress failed to extend funding amid disputes over immigration enforcement reforms. Democrats sought measures including judicial warrants for property entry, body cameras for agents, and restrictions near schools following the January killing of Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection agents. Republicans rejected these as burdensome on law enforcement.

Affected components include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. While some FEMA workers draw from a disaster relief fund, thousands furloughed or working without pay faced financial hardship. Airport delays peaked in late March with TSA lines exceeding three hours at major hubs, prompting over 366 officer quits before the initial pay order.

Congressional efforts stalled. The Senate passed a bill funding most of DHS except ICE and CBP, but House Republicans declined a vote on Thursday during pro forma sessions before spring recess until April 14. GOP leaders proposed a two-track plan: short-term funding for non-enforcement DHS, followed by reconciliation for immigration agencies.

The move bypasses lawmakers, drawing from prior tax legislation funds, as with TSA. It covers roughly 220,000 employees continuing essential duties without compensation since mid-February.