In a decisive move against alleged political espionage, the Trump administration has terminated the controversial “Quiet Skies” surveillance program that cost taxpayers $200 million annually without preventing a single terrorist attack.
At a Glance
- The Department of Homeland Security has ended the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program amid allegations it was misused for political purposes
- Secretary Kristi Noem claims the $200 million annual program failed to prevent any terrorist attacks
- Noem alleged the Biden administration used the program to target political opponents while shielding allies
- The program allowed federal marshals to surveil U.S. citizens who weren’t on watchlists or suspected of crimes
- President Trump has also ordered a separate investigation into former President Biden’s mental fitness and use of autopens
Surveillance Program Scrapped After Alleged Political Abuse
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that the Trump administration has terminated the Transportation Security Administration’s “Quiet Skies” counterterrorism program. The decision comes after allegations surfaced that the Biden administration misused the surveillance program to monitor political opponents while protecting allies. The program, which began in 2010, allowed federal air marshals to follow American citizens on flights if they had contact with “known or suspected terrorists,” even if those individuals weren’t on official terrorism watch lists.
According to Noem, the program cost American taxpayers approximately $200 million annually yet failed to prevent any terrorist attacks during its operation. A 2020 Department of Homeland Security inspector general report had previously criticized the program for lacking proper oversight and responsible data management practices. Critics have long questioned whether the program violated Americans’ civil liberties, as those under surveillance were never informed they were being monitored and had no hearing process to challenge their inclusion.
Political Targeting Allegations Surface
The controversy intensified when Secretary Noem made serious allegations about how the program was administered under the previous administration. “The program, under the guise of ‘national security,’ was used to target political opponents and benefit political allies of the Biden Administration,” she said, citing what she said were “documents, correspondence, and timelines that clearly highlight the inconsistent application of Quiet Skies.”
According to Ms. Noem, who made the announcement on social media, the program “failed to stop a SINGLE terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers roughly $200 million a year.”
Whistleblowers reportedly revealed in 2024 that the program had been misused against political figures such as former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Meanwhile, other allegations surfaced claiming political favoritism, including the removal of scrutiny for Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s husband. Secretary Noem has called for a Congressional investigation into the program’s alleged political weaponization, urging lawmakers to examine how surveillance targets were selected and monitored.
Trump Orders Separate Biden Investigation
In a parallel development, President Trump has directed the Department of Justice to investigate former President Biden and his aides over concerns about Biden’s cognitive health and the use of an autopen for official signatures. Trump addressed a memorandum to the Attorney General and the White House Counsel calling for an investigation into what he described as one of the “most dangerous” scandals in American history.
The allegations revolve around claims that Biden’s staff may have concealed his “serious cognitive decline” while utilizing an autopen to sign important documents. The memorandum requests an investigation into whether any laws were broken if Biden was not mentally capable of executing his duties while his signature was being used on official government documents. This represents another significant point of tension between the current and former administrations.
Security Measures Moving Forward
Despite ending the Quiet Skies program, the Transportation Security Administration will continue its core security functions. Secretary Noem indicated that the agency would implement the REAL ID program to enhance aviation security through more rigorous identification verification processes. The decision to terminate Quiet Skies rather than reform it suggests the administration found the program fundamentally flawed beyond simple adjustments.
The termination of this surveillance program highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing national security concerns with constitutional protections and ethical governance. As investigations continue into both the surveillance program and the allegations concerning former President Biden, Americans can expect continued scrutiny of how government agencies conduct surveillance and the safeguards needed to prevent political weaponization of national security apparatus.
