Posted on 08/26/2024 4:40:44 AM PDT by RandFan
Sens. Rand Paul and Chuck Grassley are raising concerns that the Transportation Security Administration may be improperly using watchlists and screening procedures to target individuals for their political views.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Transportation Security Administrator David P. Pekoske, Mr. Paul cited two examples of concern as he asked for documents related to the agency’s management of passenger watchlists and screening programs.
“Among the troubling allegations is the claim that former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard was subjected to heightened surveillance after she was added to the Quiet Skies list following her public criticism of the current administration,” wrote the Kentucky Republican who is the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee.
He also cited “an equally concerning case” in which a federal air marshal whistleblower disclosed that TSA labeled his wife as a “domestic terrorist” for inaccurately claiming she unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The marshal’s wife, who has a documented mobility disability, was in Washington that day but never went to the Capitol.
“Despite her physical limitations making it impossible for her to engage in the alleged activities, and with no criminal charges against her, TSA has kept her on a watchlist for more than three years,” Mr. Paul wrote. “To compound matters, TSA later assigned a Federal Air Marshal, who was diverted from a high-risk international mission, to monitor her on a flight, even though she was traveling with her husband, who is also a Federal Air Marshal.”
Mr. Grassley, Iowa Republican, separately sent a letter to Mr. Pekoske on Tuesday regarding the TSA’s targeting of Ms. Gabbard, noting that whistleblowers disclosed to his office that she has been subjected to “heavy scrutiny” on at least eight flights.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
This was predicted at the time by the Paul's and it sounded outlandish and they were called crazy and scaremongers.
Amazingly, it's happening and it only took 20 years.
Is it time to reign them in?
I think Grassley needs to fire off a strong letter to someone. Maybe Rand Paul could co-sign it?
Time to rescind every law made after Bush regarding terrorism, or at a minimum create a new provision specifically preventing any of those laws being used on a US citizen, either directly AND/OR by proxy!
Also Freepers: Tulsi Gabbard whatever you think is a veteran and former congressperson
She’s deeply vetted to the nth degree and was in the running to be a VP candidate for Donald Trump if you believe the “list”
IF they are labelling her a “domestic terrorist” and putting her on enhanced screening then God help anyone else.
It’s completely out of order.
Strongly worded, with BOLD lettering, I'm sure...
“Time to rescind every law made after Bush regarding terrorism, or at a minimum create a new provision specifically preventing any of those laws being used on a US citizen, either directly AND/OR by proxy!”
Exactly right.
Yes I know but it’s all they can do. The GOP holds no power other than to make noise.
I say good for Rand and the more senior Grassley for raising it...
A review for sure and you made a good suggestion on US citizens
Some would say it’s already done in the constitution so what are these rogue “laws”.
Judges seem complicit in going along with it
Maybe a few famous and unfathomable cases like that of former Rep. Gabbard will draw attention to it.
The last time i remember tulsi being targeted.. she turned into a gun grabber.
Gun grabber gabbard is now someone we are supporting??
They did not have to fund this nonsense.
Whatever you think of her I can’t think of someone more vetted
It’s patently ridiculous to label her a threat
Well, maybe to the Dems she is 🤣 but they’re using this agency to target her
Oh I agree with you
But the House is full of RINOs.
I agree the constitution does actually prevent it, the problem though is the cases need to go to court and be tested, then hope a judge actually follows constitutional guidance, which is in many cases still interpretational for the laws in question.
Language needs to come from congress to make it clear such acts are not to be used against US citizens to remove the ambiguity or even better, stop passing such garbage.
There are times for extreme acts and all such acts must be limited in time and scope and VERY specific, none of which our government representatives bother to enact practice. Barring a very few exceptions, they are lazy power mongering thieves, eager to stomp over the common citizens rights in their craven desires for more power an money.
You make some good points - again.
The House is also a problem (regardless who controls it) and the system in general.
A lot of these ;laws from 20 years ago are sunsetted and renewed with much shenanigans.
Maybe it’ll get harder in future but the Deep state seems “win” a lot of these battles.
This also need to quiz as to why Hunter Biden is not on the TSA list.
The TSA or the Pauls? :)
Clearly the Gabbard order came at the behest of some political figure outside the TSA. It should be possible to determine who - and turn the focus on a certain political party's unseemly meddling in airport security.
This is the problem with the so-called “good people” in office. They all know this crap is happening to us, but they turn a blind eye to it. Finally, instead of exercising their political muscle and fixing it, they just point and say: “Oh look at what might be happening here! Somebody needs to fix that!”
Gee, thinkin’ the list just got bigger.
Thank you for correcting the typo. That’s a tough one to pick-up as I dont think I’d type that word often!
It's a damned shame that the founding fathers didn't include term limits on legislative politicians. In essence, one could argue they didn't think it was necessary. At the time, the District of Columbia was a mosquito-infested swamp and no one would want to remain there outside of the fall/winter seasons - they'd all be expected to go back home to their districts and - gasp! - actually be attentive to their constituents. The idea of someone actually wanting to be a lifetime-legislator was unthinkable. But then, A/C was invented and swamps were drained so people could live there all their lives, lording it over us peons in cool luxury.
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