Masked ICE Agents Spotted At O'Hare Following Trump Threat: Report

CHICAGO — After threatening to send federal agents to the nation's airports to "do security like no one has ever seen before" over the weekend, President Donald Trump did just that Monday at O'Hare International Airport and other major U.S. airports.

Block Club Chicago is reporting one of its reporters saw the agents at O'Hare Monday morning amidst long lines for flights due to the current partial government shutdown. The media outlet said the agents were wearing masks despite a request made on social media by President Donald Trump for them to not wear them.

"I am a BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks as they search for, and are forced to deal with, hardened criminals, many of whom were let into our Country by Sleepy Joe Biden and his wonderful “Border Czar,” Kamala (she never even went to the Border!), through their absolutely INSANE Open Border Policy," Trump said Monday on Truth Social. "I would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports, etc. Thank you! President DJT."

RELATED: Hundreds Of Flights Delayed At O'Hare Airport As Ground Delay Issued

Over the weekend, Trump had threatened to send ICE agents to airports if lawmakers didn't reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security in another post. Border czar Tom Homan confirmed the threat had turned into a decision under Trump's direction during an interview with CNN Sunday night.

"[The decision is about] helping TSA do their mission and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols," Homan said.

Federal immigration agents were seen walking the concourse at Newark Airportin New Jersey on Monday, Patch reported.

Trump also said over the weekend he wouldn't accept any deal to fund DHS unless Democrats back the "SAVE America Act," a proposed law focused on changing how people register and vote in federal elections.

The deployment of the agents comes days after an hours-long ground delay was issued at O'Hare Saturday, affecting flights from around the nation.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued the ground delay to last roughly from 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., triggering flight delays of just under forty minutes on average. The ground delay was issued in response to widespread staffing shortages, according to the FAA.

Due to the delay, flights into Chicago were being held at their departure airports Saturday until the crews at O'Hare had the capacity to handle them.

Patch Editor Paige Austin contributed to this report.