If your guess is correct - and it feels right - is the TSA basically at war with the American people? Because they sure as heck aren't after young Arab men - men who are the most likely terrorists.
The short answer to your question ... yes.
Any “dictatorship”, even a budding one, MUST keep the people afraid and controlled. What better way than this BS? It’s not a full frontal assault and people will just say over dinner, “Did you hear the terrorists are implanting bombs in themselves?” Everyone will ooh and ahh and be just that much more afraid.
Plus, we did have the noise in TX about passing legislation against TSA. Of course, our elected “leaders” were cowed once again.
But the actions of each of the three branches of our government over the past 10-15 years can only lead to the conclusion that we are watching an ongoing coup of America.