At a Tampa event, Transportation Security Administration leaders and Department of Homeland Security officials recognized selected TSA officers with $10,000 bonus payments and announced a major technology investment intended to speed airport security screening.

Secretary Kristi Noem said the department will deploy a $1,000,000,000 investment in new checkpoint technology nationwide and reported that airport systems are about 94% compliant with Real ID requirements. "You've seen me in the last few weeks announce a $1,000,000,000 investment into new technology..." she said, adding that the upgrades would streamline checkpoints and help officers focus on passengers.

Noem presented $10,000 bonus payments to nominated officers and described the selection process as based on supervisor nominations for "exemplary service" during the recent government shutdown. "There's 16 up here on stage today," Noem said when asked about how many were being recognized; the event program and onstage remarks indicated more awards will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Several TSA employees described hardships during the shutdown and the local supports that helped them, including food from Feeding Tampa Bay and a utility grant described as up to $500 from TECO. TSO Felice and supervisor Waleed spoke about maintaining morale, covering shifts and the personal reasons that brought them to the job.

Event organizers said recipients received a paper notice at the event indicating that a direct deposit of the bonus would appear in the employee's account on the next pay period; no individual payroll timing beyond that statement was provided onstage.

The event also included a short question-and-answer period. Noem reiterated that enforcement operations follow established law-enforcement protocols, defended operations to remove violent criminals, and declined to provide specific operational dates for any local raids. The announcements combined policy commentary with personnel recognition; budget figures and technology plans were stated onstage but program implementation timelines and procurement specifics were not provided.

The event concluded after the Q&A and the distribution of notices to recognized employees.