Ex-DHS Chief: Americans ‘Mad’ Over TSA Lines, Security Risk

Ex-DHS Secretary Calls TSA Lines ‘Sheer Madness’ Amid Security Concerns

Americans are rightfully angry about the increasingly long lines at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, according to former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. He stated that the current situation is ‘sheer madness,’ especially at a time when the nation faces heightened security threats due to the war with Iran. Johnson, speaking on a news program, expressed deep concern that the ongoing funding disputes in Congress are weakening national security apparatus.

Funding Fights Jeopardize Essential Security Operations

The core of the problem, Johnson explained, is Congress’s repeated failure to pass funding bills for essential government functions. He highlighted that TSA agents, who are crucial for aviation security, have not been paid for weeks. Many of these employees live paycheck to paycheck and cannot be expected to work for free. The former secretary noted that while other Department of Homeland Security agencies might be funded through reprogramming, TSA, which interacts directly with the public, is left unfunded.

This lack of funding has led to a significant drop in morale and an increase in TSA agents quitting their jobs. In Atlanta, the nation’s busiest airport, reports indicate that 40% of TSA agents did not report for work one week. This has resulted in lines stretching for four to five hours, causing immense frustration for travelers trying to get to work, see family, or attend medical appointments.

Political Gridlock Blamed for Security Weakness

Johnson criticized lawmakers for coupling policy disagreements with funding for national security. He stated that the most basic job of Congress is to keep the government running and pay its bills, a function that is being neglected. He pointed out that Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass legislation to pay TSA agents, but these efforts have been blocked by Republicans. This political deadlock, Johnson argued, is creating a preventable crisis.

He also referenced political maneuvering around a bill referred to as the “Rig the Election Act,” suggesting that some Republicans are prioritizing this over ensuring TSA agents are paid. Johnson believes this tactic is designed to protect former President Donald Trump from having to veto a bill that would pay essential security personnel. He emphasized that the “Rig the Election Act” is not about voter identification, a concept he supports, but rather about restricting voting methods used by many Americans, including the former president’s family.

In my judgment, what is happening right now is sheer madness. We are in a heightened threat environment because we have gone to war… Yet the department of our government that is there to protect the American people is defunded right now.

Heightened Threat Environment Demands Vigilance

The former secretary stressed the seriousness of the current security situation. With the U.S. at war with Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, the nation faces an elevated risk. He expressed concern that airports could become soft targets due to the understaffed and demoralized TSA workforce. Johnson recalled his time in office, where transparency about threats was maintained without causing undue panic. He urged the government to be open with the American people about the risks and what they can do to stay safe.

Johnson worries that the current situation could “break the back of aviation security.” He mentioned that even in normal times, TSA agents face financial struggles, and the current unpaid status exacerbates the stress on these critical workers and the traveling public. The presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at airports, he added, may further agitate an already tense environment.

Public Deserves Better, Former Secretary Argues

Johnson concluded by stating that the American people deserve to be “really, really angry” about the situation. He urged Congress to act before a security incident forces their hand. He also suggested that political leaders should experience the long lines themselves to understand the public’s frustration. The former secretary lamented that actions taken by Republicans, including blocking funding for TSA, are making the situation worse and creating a crisis that could have been avoided.

The ongoing funding disputes and their impact on TSA operations create a critical vulnerability at a time when national security should be the top priority. As Congress prepares for spring break, Johnson’s message is clear: political games are putting public safety at risk, and inaction is no longer an option.

Source: 'Sheer madness': Former DHS Secy. Jeh Johnson says Americans deserve to be angry over TSA lines (YouTube)