DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump’s head of the Department of Homeland Security, has announced that the “Quiet Skies” program, used by the government to surveil airlines passengers, is being shut down.

“Today, I’m announcing TSA is ending the Quiet Skies Program, which since its existence has failed to stop a SINGLE terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers roughly $200 million a year,” she announced.

“DHS and TSA have uncovered documents, correspondence, and timelines that clearly highlight the inconsistent application of Quiet Skies. The program, under the guise of ‘national security,’ was used to target political opponents and benefit political allies of the Biden administration,” she continued.

“In addition to conducting our own internal investigation, I am calling for a full and thorough congressional investigation to uncover further corruption through this program. TSA will continue performing important vetting functions to stop security threats and ensure the safety of the American traveler. REAL ID, implemented on May 7 of this year, will further help bolster TSA security. The Trump administration will return TSA to its true mission of being laser-focused on the safety and security of traveling public. This includes restoring the integrity, privacy, and equal application of the law for all Americans.”

Today, I’m announcing TSA is ending the Quiet Skies Program, which since its existence has failed to stop a SINGLE terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers roughly $200 million a year.

DHS and TSA have uncovered documents, correspondence, and timelines that clearly… pic.twitter.com/mcdNplUuVV

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 5, 2025

The program dates back several administrations, to Barack Obama in 2012 and was “to gather intelligence on passengers who presented a national security concern.”

“It is clear that the Quiet Skies program was used as a political rolodex of the Biden administration — weaponized against its political foes and exploited to benefit their well-heeled friends,” Noem said in a statement.

Multiple members of Congress already had criticized the program, including Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, who revealed the TSA actually tracked Tulsi Gabbard, now the director of National Intelligence.

Reports this week also said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, contacted TSA about her husband, William “Billy” Shaheen, being subjected to enhanced screening and seeking an exemption.

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Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.