The Trump administration has dismissed concerns that the counterterrorism initiative designed to monitor U.S. citizens at airports and on planes has been “weaponized” since Biden took office.
Known as the Quiet Skies program, it is operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and allows federal marshals to track American travelers on both domestic and international flights. However, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem remarked that, despite spending approximately $200 million of taxpayer money each year, “we were unable to stop a single terrorist attack.”
Noem noted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the TSA have released documents and communications that highlight the inconsistent implementation of the Quiet Skies program.
She announced the program’s termination in a video on Thursday, calling for a comprehensive Congressional investigation to uncover further corruption linked to it.
This initiative monitored Americans who may have come into contact with known or suspected terrorists, regardless of whether they were on watch lists or considered potential criminals.
Some cases illustrate what DHS suspects may be politicization within the program. For instance, William Shaheen, the husband of Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), reportedly traveled “three times with known or suspected terrorists” but received a “blanket exemption” from monitoring under the previous TSA administrator, David Pekoske.
In contrast, individuals perceived as “non-politically aligned,” such as former Democratic Hawaiian state legislator and current National Intelligence director, found themselves ensnared in the program’s scrutiny.
DHS indicated that many Americans, including Gabbard, have been placed on a list with little transparency or oversight. Gabbard herself stated that she suspects her inclusion on the watch list was politically motivated, stemming from her critical remarks about then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
She expressed her belief during an interview that the intention was to intimidate her, suggesting that there could be repercussions for criticizing prominent political figures.
After Biden exited the 2024 presidential race, Gabbard raised questions about Harris’s leadership skills and political future.
Noem asserted that the TSA will continue its essential reviewing functions to counter security threats and maintain the safety of travelers. She emphasized the need to return the TSA to its original mission focused on passenger safety and the equitable application of laws.
