The Department of Homeland Security has accused Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of corruption for allegedly using her position to get her husband removed from a federal security watchlist, marking a significant allegation against the three-term New Hampshire senator. Here’s what you need to know about the TSA watchlist controversy:
The corruption allegation
DHS officials say Shaheen abused her power:
- Senator secretly lobbied TSA chief David Pekoske in 2023, department says
- Husband William Shaheen removed from “Quiet Skies” watchlist
- Special treatment while political opponents remained listed
- Program allegedly weaponized for political purposes
The Quiet Skies program
TSA surveillance system targeting potential security risks:
- Flags passengers who aren’t on regular terror watchlists
- Subjects travelers to enhanced screening and surveillance
- Federal air marshals conduct extra monitoring
- Designed to identify associates of known terrorism suspects
The timeline of events
How the controversy unfolded over months:
- July 2023: William Shaheen flagged as “co-traveler with suspected terrorist”
- Flights between Boston and Washington, D.C., triggered screening
- Senator asked TSA about enhanced screening her husband faced
- October 2023: Husband screened again, senator held meeting with Pekoske
- TSA chief ordered husband added to “exclusion list” for special exemption
The travel companion
Identity of flagged associate remains unclear:
- Shaheen’s office describes person as “Arab-American lawyer”
- TSA won’t identify the suspected terrorism associate
- William Shaheen is Lebanese-American, former U.S. attorney
- Served in Carter administration as New Hampshire federal prosecutor
The political targeting claims
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem alleges partisan abuse:
- Tulsi Gabbard simultaneously added to same watchlist
- Former Democratic congresswoman was Trump supporter at time
- Program used as “political rolodex” by Biden administration
- “Weaponized against political foes and to benefit their well-heeled friends”
The senator’s defense
Shaheen’s office disputes corruption characterization:
- Says husband faced “extensive, invasive and degrading searches”
- Claims senator was unaware of any watchlist placement
- Denies knowledge of removal action following her call
- Characterizes inquiry as seeking understanding of screening reasons
The broader program concerns
Quiet Skies faces mounting criticism:
- Sen. Rand Paul investigating surveillance of Gabbard
- Whistleblowers revealed political targeting last year
- Air marshals documented appearance and electronics of targets
- DHS says program yields “little to no measurable security impact”
What happens next
Current developments:
- William Shaheen’s exclusion has been revoked
- TSA Administrator Pekoske was ousted by Trump administration
- Sen. Rand Paul obtained air marshals’ documents on Gabbard surveillance
- Homeland Security says others also received special treatment
Read more:
• DHS accuses Democratic senator of corruption for helping husband get TSA contract
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
