Social Media Reacts to Long Lines at Austin Airport With DHS Shut Down [WATCH]

Travelers packed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport early Friday morning, with security lines stretching outside the terminal as thousands of passengers headed out of the city.

Airport officials said the travel surge comes as Austin hosts major spring events, including the South by Southwest conference, while many travelers are also departing ahead of spring break.

The airport expected roughly 35,000 departing passengers to move through the terminal Friday, creating heavy demand at security checkpoints.

By around 5 a.m., passenger lines extended outside the building and remained there for about two hours before easing back inside the terminal shortly after 7 a.m., airport officials said.

While construction at the airport has been ongoing for months, officials said another factor contributing to uncertainty is the ongoing partial federal government shutdown, which affects agencies operating there.

“The staffing levels that are affected are going to be those organizations that fall under the Department of Homeland Security here at this airport,” said Deputy Airport Chief Sam Haines. “That’s going to be TSA and Customs and Border Protection.”

Haines said Transportation Security Administration agents remain on duty and screening passengers, but wait times can fluctuate depending on staffing and passenger volume.

Users on social media reacted to the long lines.

“INSANE: Americans attempting to fly out of Austin Airport this morning were forced to wait SO LONG that many of them had to give up their tickets with NO REFUNDS Thank a Democrat, folks!” said independent journalist Nick Sortor.

Watch the clip below:

🚨 INSANE: Americans attempting to fly out of Austin Airport this morning were forced to wait SO LONG that many of them had to give up their tickets with NO REFUNDS

Thank a Democrat, folks!

Their DHS shutdown is costing everyday Americans hundreds—or even THOUSANDS—of dollars… pic.twitter.com/GTeZRpXnLQ

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 13, 2026

“Dads who want to leave for the airport 5 hours before a flight don’t seem so crazy now,” the official Barstool Sports X account posted.

Dads who want to leave for the airport 5 hours before a flight don’t seem so crazy nowpic.twitter.com/RvabYjMw3v

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 13, 2026

“Democrats need to stop playing political games and fund DHS,” President Trump’s Rapid Response team posted.

Fox News shows “lines stretching outside the terminal” at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

“TSA has been spread thin as agents call out during the partial government shutdown.”

Today, 100,000 DHS workers will not get paid thanks to the Democrats.

Democrats need to stop… pic.twitter.com/XOk2xxEaS9

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 13, 2026

“This is insane. Nuke the filibuster and END THIS! Dems are traitors!” said Eric Daugherty.

🚨 BREAKING: Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have UNLEASHED MADNESS on airports by shutting down TSA — the line at Austin Airport is surging DOWN THE STREET

TSA misses pay today.

This is insane. Nuke the filibuster and END THIS! Dems are traitors!pic.twitter.com/yRq825MYcA

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 13, 2026

“Look at the security lines in Austin this morning. It’s insane that Democrats have shut down TSA pay while there are terror attacks happening at a 20 year high. Indefensible, honestly,” Clay Travis said.

Look at the security lines in Austin this morning. It’s insane that Democrats have shut down TSA pay while there are terror attacks happening at a 20 year high. Indefensible, honestly. https://t.co/tCJ1R3G8n3

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 13, 2026