Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are trained and can assist with airport security, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that ICE would be sent to airports starting Monday.

Duffy added that sending in ICE takes away possible leverage for Democrats.

“Democrats want to see long lines at airports as leverage,” Duffy told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “President Trump’s trying to take that leverage away and not make the American people suffer.”

Democrats blocked funding for DHS to push for policy reforms to ICE, including requiring agents to not wear face masks, wear body cameras and have warrants signed by a judge before entering a home or business. Republicans have so far rejected those proposals.

But ICE has remained funded through appropriations from the Trump’s tax and spending bill passed last summer, while key DHS agencies like TSA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard are left unfunded.

Duffy blamed Democrats for the hours-long security line waits at airports, saying Trump has already made policy concessions.

Some TSA officers have begun calling in sick or quitting as they missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began. DHS said that more than 400 TSA officers have quit so far.

Karl pressed Duffy on the logistics of Trump’s plan for ICE agents.

“Is there a plan in place? I mean, how many ICE agents are we talking about? Do they have any practical experience in manning airport security lines?,” Karl asked.

“Sure. Well, you — they run those same type of security machines at the southern border, right? Packages come through or people come through. They run similar assets,” Duffy said. “To manage the through flow of people and even administratively they’ll be helpful. But again, we have ICE agents who are trained and can provide assistance to agents.”

It is unclear how many ICE agents would be sent to airports or which airports they will be sent to.

Duffy said that ICE does have proper security training, but could also help by just managing lines. It is unclear how many ICE agents would be sent to airports or which airports they will be sent to.

The president’s announcement comes as Duffy has said repeatedly that he expects the chaos and delays at U.S. airports to worsen amid the busy spring break travel season because of the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

“I think you’re going to see more TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they’re going to quit, or they’re not going to show up,” Duffy said. “I do think it’s going to get much worse, and as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on the Congress to come to a resolution.”

Air travel is facing challenges from multiple fronts this month as the U.S. war with Iran has led to a near-total closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of oil surging worldwide. Higher oil costs has led to a higher cost of jet fuel, and major U.S. airlines are already warning of higher costs.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told employees the airline was planning for oil to reach $175 per barrel. Oil is currently nearing $100 per barrel. Duffy said despite the rising cost, major airline carriers told him they have enough jet fuel supply.

“I think airlines do well when they plan for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what I think is happening there,” Duffy said.

As for a timeline, Duffy maintained the administration’s statements that the war would last four to six weeks and that the Pentagon has “anticipated all that’s happening.”

“I think you’re going to see this is short-lived,” Duffy said. “When the strait opens up, you’re going to see a little bit of a lag as those carriers get to their destinations, but I think you’re going to see a very quick rebound in energy prices when this conflict is resolved.”