U.S. News
TSA Shoes-On Shift Sparks Senator’s Urgent Security Alarm
Clear Facts
- Senator Tammy Duckworth is demanding the TSA reinstate the policy requiring travelers to remove their shoes during airport security screenings.
- A classified watchdog report reportedly found that current security scanners cannot effectively screen footwear for potential threats.
- Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended the shoe removal requirement last summer to improve passenger efficiency and wait times.
Senator Tammy Duckworth is pressuring the Transportation Security Administration to reverse a Trump-era policy that allowed travelers to keep their shoes on.
The Illinois Democrat labeled the change a reckless move that compromised national security protocols.
The push for stricter screening follows reports that technical limitations prevent existing scanners from properly inspecting footwear. Duckworth claims the federal government ignored urgent warnings regarding these vulnerabilities.
“Secretary Noem’s decision to implement a shoes on policy on July 8, 2025, likely without meaningful consultation with TSA, was a reckless act,” Duckworth wrote in a letter to TSA leadership.
“Allowing a potentially catastrophic security deficiency to remain in place for seven months and counting betrays TSA’s mission,” she added.
The senator further alleged that the agency failed to meet legal deadlines for addressing security gaps identified by internal watchdogs. She argues that prioritizing passenger convenience over established safety procedures violates federal directives.
“Secretary Noem’s willingness to gamble the American people’s security in an unsuccessful attempt to boost her popularity was, and remains, a stunning failure of leadership,” Duckworth wrote.
The shoe removal policy was originally established in 2006 to prevent explosive devices from being smuggled onto aircraft. While the previous administration aimed to modernize the experience, critics suggest the technological advancements cited are not yet sufficient.
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