A few days back, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared the immediate closure of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, citing the ongoing partial government shutdown. Now, I’d like to hear how extending average screening times addresses a supposed staffing shortage, but that’s irrelevant right now.
Several hours later, the government partially changed its stance, reinstating TSA PreCheck but keeping Global Entry shuttered. Many of us were puzzled by the logic behind such a counterproductive policy initially, as well as the reason for its reversal. We now have a clearer picture of what transpired…
Was Kristi Noem the brain behind this initiative?
When the announcement of the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry closures broke, many questioned who was truly responsible for this directive and what their intentions were. Was this genuinely President Trump’s plan, or did it originate with someone else? If someone else proposed it, did it receive Trump’s backing before implementation, or what?
The Washington Post now sheds light on the alleged origins of this situation. As per a White House official and someone close to the Trump circle, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her aide, Corey Landowski, conceived this plan.
They supposedly attempted to advance this without consulting senior White House officials, only to see the decision reversed a few hours later, thanks to intervention by key Trump figures. Reports indicate that Noem aimed to play a more prominent role during this shutdown, similar to how Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had significant visibility during the last one.
Air travel often becomes a focal point during shutdowns, as it’s an area where government funding shortages can markedly affect the average person. Thus, it appears Noem believed the best way to make her presence felt was by instituting some arbitrary security measures that would attract attention.
Noem has taken to social media during the shutdown, sharing interviews with TSA agents and expressing gratitude for their work “while Democrats continue to deny them paychecks.”
Nonetheless, none of this really adds up… at all!
I grasp the notion of seeking attention and crafting restrictions that make the opposing party look unfavorable. However, I fail to see how anyone can argue that halting TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is a viable response to a staffing shortfall.
Sure, it’s a relief that TSA PreCheck is operational again, but can someone — anyone — clarify why Global Entry remains largely inactive? There’s absolutely no rationale for cutting Global Entry as a remedy for a staffing shortage. I’m pleased Trump took steps to reactivate TSA PreCheck, but why hasn’t the same occurred for Global Entry?
The entire storyline strikes me as extremely strange, especially with a DHS spokesperson declaring:
“We opted to manage TSA PreCheck on an airport-by-airport basis based on workforce and resource pressure rather than a one-size-fits-all policy. Should the government remain shut down, we will have to enforce these emergency measures nationwide to alleviate resource and workforce strain. This political maneuvering by the Democrats is exerting pressure on our TSA employees who are working without pay.”
So essentially “on an airport-by-airport basis we will opt to elongate screening times, devoid of any rational basis?”
Curiously, the sole substantial argument I’ve encountered supporting this stance is “well, point fingers at the Democrats, as this puts pressure on them and they are to blame for the shutdown.” Yet again, that doesn’t clarify the reasoning behind this policy, which amplifies friction rather than alleviating it. Explain to me how this policy is more rational than Mandating all Post Office visitors to perform 20 jumping jacks before entry, while attributing blame for the shutdown?
Bottom line
Reports indicate that Kristi Noem was the architect of the suspensions of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, with minimal consultation with other White House officials, as shown by the swift policy reversal. While it’s positive news that the TSA PreCheck suspension has been overturned, there remains no rationale for the Global Entry shutdown, yet that policy persists.
What are your thoughts on this explanation surrounding the TSA PreCheck shutdown and its subsequent reversal?