House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green and Senator Rand Paul have raised questions about Tulsi Gabbard's inclusion in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) surveillance program.
Just The News reported that they have asked the acting TSA Administrator to provide clarity regarding the criteria that led to tagging the current Director of National Intelligence as a high-risk traveler.
The crux of the issue lies in the TSA’s Quiet Skies program, which has been scrutinized for potentially categorizing travelers using nonsecurity factors. On Wednesday, Chair Mark Green and Senator Rand Paul reached out to Adam Stahl, the acting Administrator of the TSA.
They demanded further insights into the agency’s Quiet Skies program alongside the Federal Air Marshal Service’s (FAMS) operations focused on surveilling high-risk travelers and related flights.
The spotlight of their inquiry fell on Gabbard, who underwent extra screening procedures during her travels.
Gabbard, whose international trips have received scrutiny, including a notable visit to Syria where she met President Bashar al-Assad, found her name entangled in the Quiet Skies program.
While the official letter from Green and Paul did not explicitly mention Gabbard, their press statement emphasized her situation. Their intent was clear: Congress requires a thorough briefing to understand the program’s methodological underpinnings and uses.
Reports circling the program suggest potential misuse, hinting that decisions under the current administration might have inappropriately factored in political opinions or travel habits.
Green and Paul expressed clear apprehension, stating, “This is a deeply troubling prospect that demands immediate and unequivocal clarification.”
In their letter, they stressed the necessity for a confidential briefing, intended for both the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees. This meeting aims to probe into the intelligence foundations that justify FAMS's mission assignments and other special operations linked to screening.
The lawmakers were clear in their communication. They acknowledged the changing of the guard within the TSA and the scale of national security responsibilities it bears. However, they underlined a pivotal point, emphasizing that legislative oversight is not a negotiable aspect of this process.
While the TSA is tasked with ensuring American security, the potential for political motivations intruding in TSA operations is concerning. The lawmakers' message underscored their gratitude for the TSA's role in securing the nation but insisted on transparency and oversight governing their operations.
The Quiet Skies program initially aims to track travelers deemed a risk based on behavioral patterns or past travel histories. However, the specifics, particularly when it comes to figures like Gabbard, who hold influential positions, necessitates further explanation.
By raising these points, Green and Paul are advocating for a transparent examination of TSA's current practices. The aim is to ensure that national security protocols are based on sound, non-partisan criteria that do not infringe on individuals' rights owing to unfounded suspicions.
Their statement to the acting Administrator expressed a recognition of the challenges faced by the TSA during leadership transitions, all the while reiterating Congress's essential role in overseeing these security measures.
Gabbard's involvement in the controversy reflects broader concerns about the balance between national security and civil liberties. With the demand for more information about her inclusion in the program, a pivotal discussion about the nature of security screenings opens.
The TSA, under the Biden administration, is urged to confirm the grounds upon which travelers, like Gabbard, are assessed and monitored within these programs. Thus, the broader implications and potential reforms remain subject to congressional inquiries and the results of forthcoming briefings.
