Gabbard Criticizes TSA’s “Quiet Skies” Program
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard expressed that her placement on the Transportation Safety Administration’s (TSA) “Silent Sky” Watchlist was “politically motivated.” This came to light during a recent Senate hearing, shedding some unexpected light on her oversight under the Biden administration.
During an interview with Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham, Gabbard mentioned feeling like she was under surveillance since she had criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s leadership after her appearance on the “Ingraham Angle” back on July 22. It felt a bit unsettling—as if her words had tangible consequences.
This statement followed shortly after former President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Harris as the Democratic candidate. Gabbard’s comments were quite pointed, hinting at a possible effort to intimidate her regarding her criticisms of the Vice President.
“I think they were attempting to blackmail me, really trying to create this ideology of fear,” Gabbard said. “It’s a tacit message that if you criticize the Vice President, you’ll find yourself facing repercussions from the administration.” It’s interesting how political discourse can sometimes turn into a kind of personal vendetta.
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky highlighted the issue during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, mentioning he had obtained records from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These records indicated that Gabbard was monitored during a domestic flight in 2024 due to her placement on the “quiet skies” list.
Paul noted that the reports included information about her appearance and the kinds of electronic devices she had. This raises questions about the monitoring procedures and who exactly gets flagged—and why.
The TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program, initiated in 2010, aims to identify passengers for enhanced screening based on aggregated data and intelligence trends. However, it’s been heavily criticized for its lack of transparency and potential civil liberties violations.
In a report from April 2019, the DHS stated that individuals are flagged for increased scrutiny based on various factors, including travel patterns and suspicious activities. CNN had previously reported that Gabbard was briefly placed on the list before being removed, and TSA clarified that this program is not a terrorist watchlist.
According to the federal agency, the “Quiet Skies” initiative is a risk-based, automated security measure intended to identify potential risks and implement appropriate screenings. They didn’t provide immediate comments regarding Gabbard’s case, leaving many wondering about the specifics of her situation.
In her conversation with Ingraham, Gabbard expressed strong opposition to the program’s continued existence, questioning its efficacy: “Not a single terrorist has been caught, yet it results in multiple daily checks on ordinary Americans.” It’s a stark reminder of how sometimes security measures can raise more fears than reassurance.
