Senator Tammy Duckworth Demands TSA Restore Shoes-Off Screening After Inspector General Warns Scanners Miss Threats
Senator Tammy Duckworth is urging the TSA to reverse its July 8, 2025 shoes-on policy after a classified DHS OIG report found scanners fail to detect threats in footwear, creating a significant security vulnerability at airports and endangering travelers.
- Classified OIG finding: covert testing reportedly showed TSA advanced imaging scanners missed threats hidden in shoes, triggering an urgent seven-day notice to DHS leadership.
- Senator’s demand: Duckworth called the policy change a “reckless act” and asked Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to immediately reinstate shoes-off screening and outline corrective actions.
- Legal and operational questions: Duckworth says TSA missed a 90-day deadline to report fixes, raising possible federal law and directive violations and prompting oversight interest.
- Local impact: Restoring shoes-off screening could slow checkpoints, affect passenger flow at San Diego International Airport (SAN), and require coordination among airports, airlines, and TSA.
What Duckworth wrote and asked for
In a formal letter to Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, Sen. Tammy Duckworth — ranking member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee — described then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s July 8 policy change as “a reckless act” that “betrays TSA’s mission.” She said the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General flagged the scanners’ inability to screen shoes in an urgent “Seven-Day Letter” that DHS leadership did not act on. Duckworth called the seven-month lapse a “stunning failure of leadership” and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the shoes-on policy and swift corrective action (reported by Passenger Terminal Today and CBS News).
Inspector General findings and legal questions
Media reports that reviewed the classified OIG audit say covert “red team” testing demonstrated that TSA advanced imaging scanners failed to detect threats hidden in footwear. The OIG reportedly issued an urgent notice to DHS leadership to address the vulnerability; Duckworth says the agency then missed a legally required 90-day deadline to outline corrective actions, potentially violating federal law and OMB guidance (CBS News, Passenger Terminal Today).
Background: why shoes-off existed, why it changed
Shoes were routinely removed at TSA checkpoints for nearly two decades after Richard Reid’s 2001 attempt to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes aboard a transatlantic flight. The shoes-off rule became a standard countermeasure. In July 2025, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem implemented a shoes-on policy, arguing it would reduce wait times and speed screening; Noem said the change would “drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints.” The change took effect amid pushback from some lawmakers and security experts (Passenger Terminal Today, Fox News).
Who has commented so far
CBS News first reported details of the classified OIG audit and Duckworth’s letter; Fox News and trade outlets such as Passenger Terminal Today have also covered the senator’s call for reinstating the shoes-off rule. Local TV outlets in Chicago reported Duckworth’s public push on April 7, 2026 (video reports from NBC Chicago and WGN News). As of the latest reporting, neither TSA nor DHS has issued a public comment in response (CBS News, Fox News, Passenger Terminal Today).
Questions raised by lawmakers and experts
Duckworth’s letter and the OIG findings prompt several procedural and technical questions:
- Consultation: Did Secretary Noem consult TSA appropriately before changing long-standing screening rules? Duckworth asserts the change likely occurred “without meaningful consultation.” (Passenger Terminal Today).
- OIG action: Why did DHS leadership not act on the OIG’s seven-day warning?
- Fix options: What specific fixes are possible quickly — software updates, equipment changes, or reinstating shoes-off screening — to close the vulnerability?
Lawmakers and aviation security officials are expected to press for answers as the inspector general’s findings become central to oversight hearings (CBS News).
Operational and traveler impacts
If TSA restores a shoes-off policy, checkpoints nationwide could experience longer lines and slower processing while screeners complete additional inspections. Noem cited reduced wait times as the rationale for shoes-on; reversing the policy may require airports and carriers to adjust staffing, passenger communications, and checkpoint layouts. Trade publications note the tension between efficiency and security and warn that sudden policy reversals could strain already stretched checkpoint operations (Passenger Terminal Today).
Implications for San Diego
Economic impact
San Diego International Airport (SAN) serves millions of travelers annually. A return to shoes-off screening could lengthen TSA checkpoint times, affect passenger throughput during peak travel days, and reduce terminal retail and concession revenues. Tight connection schedules might be harder to meet, with potential ripple effects on tourism-related businesses (CBS News).
Political consequences
San Diego’s representatives and local officials will likely monitor the situation closely. Lawmakers balancing convenience and public safety may face constituent pressure from travelers upset by longer lines and from those prioritizing security. The debate could affect local discussions about airport funding and TSA staffing (Passenger Terminal Today).
Social effects
San Diego’s travel population — military personnel, cross-border commuters, and tourists — may see disrupted routines. Frequent flyers and military travelers connecting to regional bases could be affected, and those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border for work or leisure may face increased time pressures. Longer waits raise accessibility concerns for families and travelers with mobility needs (CBS News).
Cultural relevance
The debate taps into local priorities: San Diegans value both safety and convenience. Business travelers, convention attendees, and leisure visitors will weigh security assurances against the practical cost of longer lines and potential impacts on tourism.
Practical applications for travelers and local agencies
Travelers: Pack with screening in mind — choose easy-to-remove shoes, keep carry-on clutter low, and allow extra time at SAN while the issue is unresolved. Check airline and airport advisories for any changes to screening procedures (Passenger Terminal Today).
Local agencies and airports: SAN and regional partners should coordinate public messaging, review passenger flow plans, and work with TSA on staffing and checkpoint layout adjustments to reduce congestion if a policy reversal occurs. Requesting data on how reinstating shoes-off screening would affect wait times can inform planning (Passenger Terminal Today).
What comes next
Duckworth’s letter increases pressure on Acting TSA Administrator McNeill to act. Lawmakers may pursue briefings, documents, and testimony about the OIG’s findings and the agency’s response. If TSA fails to meet the legal requirements Duckworth cites, congressional oversight could escalate. Airlines, airports, and public safety advocates will watch for evidence-based steps that balance security and efficiency (CBS News, Fox News).
