DHS and TSA Expose Targeting of Political Opponents by Former Biden Administration Officials, Refers Case to Congress & Justice Department

 Former Biden-era officials abused authority by using TSA watch lists to target political opponents

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the results of an internal investigation uncovering widespread abuses committed by Biden administration officials, who weaponized the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) against innocent American citizens.

These officials, under the direction and leadership of former Biden TSA Administrator David Pekoske, systematically watchlisted and denied boarding to those who exercised their individual rights and resisted mask mandates on airplanes nearly six months after the CDC relaxed its indoor mask mandate.

In an unprecedented act, the Biden TSA then used the January 6, 2021, protests as an excuse to target several dozen U.S. citizens. These Americans were watchlisted and harassed despite there being no evidence of wrongdoing or illegal behavior. This targeted campaign of harassment continued through June 2021, six months after the events in question, despite no clear or immediate threat to aviation security. The campaign also coincided with hundreds of January 6th protestors being locked away by the Biden Department of Justice. These Biden-era officials continued to target Americans even after career intelligence officials and even Biden's TSA Chief Privacy Officer sounded the alarm over these abusive actions.

The Biden-era TSA's actions demonstrate clear political bias. For example, these officials chose NOT to flag individuals who attacked law enforcement, burned down cities, and destroyed property during the widespread and violent George Floyd protests in 2020. During this abuse of power, some TSA officials raised serious concerns about these privacy violations and political targeting. They were ignored.

The TSA administrator has legal authority to prevent an individual from boarding an aircraft, task Federal Air Marshals with surveilling an individual, or place them on a watchlist, but it is only intended to be used to track and prevent dangerous criminals and terrorists from carrying out attacks on Americans. Clearly, those targeted by Administrator Pekoske posed no such threat.

These revelations come after another internal investigation discovered that the TSA conducted unwarranted surveillance on now-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard under the Quiet Skies program. At the same time, it granted special privileges to Bill Shaheen, the husband of Democratic New Hampshire Senator, Jeanne Shaheen, who traveled with a Known or Suspected Terrorist multiple times.

Under Secretary Noem's direction, TSA and DHS:

• Referred this matter to the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and to Congress for further investigation.
• Removed a total of five senior leaders from their positions who betrayed the trust of the American people. This includes the Executive Assistant Administrator for Operations Support and the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Intelligence and Analysis.
• Are working with policymakers on Capitol Hill on legislative authorities to ensure these kinds of abuses do not happen again.
• Are updating internal standard operating procedures and policies to ensure greater oversight.
• Are reorganizing TSA's Intelligence & Analysis office to hold senior officials accountable and provide greater oversight on watchlisting operations.

SOURCE Transportation Security Administration