Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. Representative, has exposed a shocking allegation: she claims the U.S. government placed her on a “secret terror watchlist” after she criticized Vice President Kamala Harris.
At a Glance
- Tulsi Gabbard claims the US government placed her on a “secret terror watchlist.”
- Gabbard alleges political targeting by the Biden administration.
- She and her husband faced “additional TSA screening” multiple times.
- Hawaii lawmakers question the TSA about her watchlist inclusion.
Gabbard’s Startling Allegations
Tulsi Gabbard claims to have been added to a “secret terror watchlist” as retaliation for her vocal criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris. Gabbard, known for her willingness to confront prominent political figures, alleges this is an abuse of power aimed at intimidate and discredit her.
According to Gabbard, Federal Air Marshall whistleblowers informed her on August 4 that she was added to the “Quiet Skies” watchlist on July 23. That very day, she and her husband began experiencing intensive TSA searches. “Every time this happened, we were told by the TSA agent there that ‘this is just a random selection.’ 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,” Gabbard explained.
Gabbard revealed that she faced such screening multiple times and was subjected to 30 to 45 minutes of scrutiny each instance. “Every time I travel, at least three air marshals are assigned to watch me in the airport and on the flight,” she disclosed. She criticized the Biden administration’s extreme actions and questioned the level of threat she allegedly poses.
Hawaii Lawmakers Demand Answers
Hawaii lawmakers have joined the conversation by demanding explanations from the TSA. Reps. Gene Ward, Diamond Garcia, David Alcos, and Elijah Pierick sent a joint letter to TSA Director David Pekoske, questioning why Gabbard was included on the Quiet Skies Program watchlist without clear reasons and accusing air marshals of harassment.
“Sir, please remember this is the United States of America and you have not even stated why such a dastardly label has been attached to and besmirched her good name,” the representatives wrote. “We strongly urge you to immediately withdraw her name from the Quiet Skies program and provide full transparency of the TSA’s reasons for maligning her name and reputation.
In response, the TSA stated its Quiet Skies program uses a risk-based approach and does not confirm or deny individuals’ inclusion on watchlists. Established in 2012, the program aims to efficiently allocate law enforcement resources by focusing on travelers who may present an elevated aviation security risk.
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Implications for Free Speech and Security
Gabbard’s allegations have stirred serious concerns about the potential for governmental abuse of power. She argues that her inclusion on the watchlist was politically motivated, intended to silence her criticisms of Vice President Harris and the broader Biden administration.
In an interview on Fox News, Gabbard emphasized her distress over being surveilled by her own government and its impact on her security and peace of mind. “Forever going forward I will always be looking over my shoulder wondering if and how my government is surveilling me,” she lamented.
The Homeland Security inspector general’s 2020 report on the Quiet Skies program also raised concerns about the lack of oversight and the potential misuse of passenger data. Despite these issues, the TSA asserts the program’s goal is to minimize risks on airplanes by identifying higher-risk passengers through travel patterns and intelligence.
