First reported by Fox, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made moves under the Biden administration, targeting Americans who opposed Covid-19 mask mandates or were involved in the January 6, 2021, events. An internal investigation revealed that Biden’s TSA initiated “Operation Freedom To Breathe” in September 2021, about six months after the CDC eased mask requirements. This operation specifically focused on individuals who had resisted mask mandates.
As a result, 19 Americans were placed on intensive watchlists, with more than half ending up on the no-fly list, restricting their ability to board flights within the U.S. Notably, these individuals were monitored until April 2022, when the national mask mandate was lifted.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the actions taken by the TSA, stating that Administrator David Pekoske misused their authority in a way that contradicted the principles of protecting the populace.
Noem emphasized that the TSA seemed to unfairly target individuals based on their political beliefs rather than actual security risks. She also underscored President Trump’s commitment to putting an end to governmental overreach on American citizens.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach Pekoske for comments but did not receive a response.
An internal survey indicated that around 280 people allegedly tied to the Capitol protests were placed on a watch list, with five of them included on the no-fly list. This was despite warnings from career intelligence officials and the TSA’s Chief Privacy Officer that their actions might be punitive in nature.
Concerns were raised internally about the criteria used to add individuals to watchlists, with most arrests stemming from minor infractions rather than any substantial threats. Emails obtained by Fox highlighted internal disagreements about this approach.
The TSA relied heavily on data from George Washington University’s extremist database, alongside social media indicators, to determine watchlist eligibility. However, examples emerged of individuals being incorrectly flagged, including one who was not at the Capitol during the January 6 events but still ended up on the no-fly list.
Noem pointed out that the Justice Department has been asked to investigate these actions. She described the tactics employed by the Biden administration as unprecedented, indicating the broadest application of no-fly list measures against U.S. citizens in history.
