
The Biden administration’s refusal to confirm or deny Tulsi Gabbard’s alleged placement on a federal terrorist watch list has ignited a firestorm of controversy and legal action.
Quick Takes
- Tulsi Gabbard claims she was added to TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program after criticizing the Biden administration
- Judicial Watch filed a FOIA lawsuit against DHS for records related to Gabbard’s alleged surveillance
- Republican lawmakers demand answers from TSA about Gabbard’s alleged watchlist status
- Biden administration’s silence raises questions about government transparency and potential political targeting
Gabbard’s Explosive Allegations
Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has dropped a bombshell accusation against the Biden administration, claiming she was placed on a secret TSA watchlist called “Quiet Skies” due to her political shift from Democrat to Republican. Gabbard, who was recently nominated by Donald Trump to be the Director of National Intelligence, alleges that her criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris led to her being targeted by the TSA.
Gabbard’s claims have gained traction, with whistleblowers from the Federal Air Marshal Service reportedly providing information about her enrollment in the Quiet Skies program. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about government overreach and the potential abuse of security measures for political purposes.
Judicial Watch announced today that it filed on December 9, 2024, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for records on former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard being targeted for surveillance under the Transportation Security… pic.twitter.com/XLdvTOs0wd
— ❌Paul Baumgartner❌ 68% Adjudicated (@WatchnDaWorld) December 18, 2024
Legal Action and Congressional Inquiry
In response to the allegations, Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit seeks to uncover communications related to Gabbard’s alleged surveillance under the Quiet Skies program. This legal action has put additional pressure on the Biden administration to address the claims directly.
Republican lawmakers have also joined the fray, with Senators James Comer and Rand Paul requesting TSA records on Gabbard and others allegedly targeted by such programs. U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett has taken it a step further, writing directly to TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske and demanding answers about Gabbard’s alleged placement on the watchlist.
Just a few days before they got out of Dodge, the Biden gang told @JudicialWatch we would get zero info on its scheme to abuse @TulsiGabbard by spying on and smearing her.
“TSA cannot confirm or deny the existence of records that would tend to confirm a particular individual’s… https://t.co/3UEmTVWKDn— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) January 28, 2025
The Quiet Skies Program: Security Measure or Political Tool?
The TSA describes the Quiet Skies program as a risk-based security measure applied to a limited number of travelers, not a terrorist watchlist. However, the agency’s refusal to confirm or deny Gabbard’s status in the program, citing protection of civil liberties and national security, has only fueled speculation and concern.
“Just before boarding a flight on July 23, my husband and I were pulled aside for additional TSA screening. We were told by the TSA agent there that this was just a random selection. Now, that might have been believable if it had happened just once or twice. But five, six, seven, eight times in a row? There’s no way.” – Tulsi Gabbard
The controversy surrounding Gabbard’s alleged watchlist status comes at a time when she has been thrust into the national spotlight due to her nomination as Director of National Intelligence by former President Trump. This development has raised eyebrows among intelligence officials and allies, given Gabbard’s lack of formal intelligence experience and her controversial foreign policy views.
Implications for Government Transparency
The Biden administration’s silence on this issue has raised serious questions about government transparency and the potential for abuse of security programs for political purposes. As the FOIA lawsuit progresses and congressional inquiries continue, many Americans are left wondering about the true nature of programs like Quiet Skies and the extent to which they may be used to target political opponents.
The outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching implications for civil liberties, government oversight, and the delicate balance between national security and individual rights. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will provide the transparency that many are demanding or if the true extent of Gabbard’s alleged surveillance will remain shrouded in secrecy.
Sources:
- Is Tulsi Gabbard on TSA Terrorist Watchlist? What She’s Said – Newsweek
- Tulsi Gabbard Put on Watch List By Biden Gang – Judicial Watch SUES!
- Tulsi Gabbard claimed she was on a terrorist watchlist. She’s now set to lead America’s spy network