Senator’s Husband Removed from TSA Watchlist

Clear Facts

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen reportedly intervened with the TSA to remove her husband from a surveillance list.
• The TSA’s Quiet Skies program, which flagged William Shaheen, has also targeted Tulsi Gabbard.
• Criticism surrounds the Quiet Skies program for allegedly infringing on civil liberties.

In a recent revelation, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is reported to have lobbied the Biden administration to remove her husband, William Shaheen, from a TSA watchlist. This list, part of the “Quiet Skies” domestic surveillance program, had flagged him for monitoring.

William Shaheen, an Arab-American attorney, was placed on this list in October 2023. The TSA’s Quiet Skies program, operational since 2010, aims to prevent terrorist activities on domestic flights by surveilling certain individuals. However, it has faced severe backlash for allegedly violating the civil liberties of American citizens who have no criminal records.

Senator Shaheen, currently in her third term, reportedly contacted then-TSA administrator David Pekoske regarding her husband’s inclusion on the list. Following her intervention, William Shaheen was removed from the Quiet Skies list within two days.

Reports indicate that the Quiet Skies program also targeted Tulsi Gabbard, who was subjected to surveillance by federal air marshals during her travels in 2024. Gabbard has been vocal about the intrusive nature of these checks, stating, “This is the real pain and stress that’s been caused both to me and my family by this whole situation.”

After Senator Shaheen’s discussion with TSA officials, her husband’s travel profile was added to a “secure flight exclusion list,” which exempts travelers from additional TSA surveillance measures such as random searches. A spokesperson for the senator claimed she was unaware of her husband’s initial inclusion on the Quiet Skies list or the subsequent special treatment he received.

The Department of Homeland Security has since removed William Shaheen from the VIP list that shields travelers from additional screenings. Despite the controversy, Senator Shaheen has announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, with her husband having acquired multi-million dollar properties in Florida before this announcement.

The Quiet Skies program continues to be a point of contention, with many questioning its impact on personal freedoms. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Senator Shaheen has yet to respond to requests for further comment on the situation.

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