Duckworth demands TSA shoes-off policy be reinstated after watchdog finds airport security vulnerability
Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged the TSA to reinstate the shoes-off screening rule after a classified DHS OIG report and covert testing found scanners may fail to detect threats hidden in footwear, calling the shoes-on change a “reckless act.”
- Senator Duckworth requested reversal of the July 8, 2025 shoes-on decision and asked Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to restore shoes-off screening; see Passenger Terminal Today.
- Classified OIG testing and covert “red team” exercises reportedly found scanners cannot reliably detect items hidden in shoes, cited in reporting by CBS News and Passenger Terminal Today.
- OIG issued a rare “Seven-Day Letter” to then-Secretary Kristi Noem and TSA missed a legally required 90-day corrective-action deadline, a central claim in Duckworth’s letter (coverage in Passenger Terminal Today).
- Coverage and context across outlets including CBS News, Fox News, and video clips from NBC Chicago and WGN.
What Duckworth wrote and why she acted
Senator Tammy Duckworth, the ranking member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee, pressed TSA to quickly restore the long-standing shoes-off screening rule. In her letter to Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, Duckworth called then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s July 8, 2025 shoes-on change a “reckless act” that may permit dangerous items to slip through checkpoints. The senator asserted the change was likely made without meaningful consultation with TSA and said the decision created a vulnerability that persisted for months.
Duckworth cited classified OIG covert testing that reportedly found Advanced Imaging Technology scanners “can’t scan shoes” effectively. She noted the OIG elevated the issue with a rare Seven-Day Letter to Noem and that no adequate corrective action was provided, which Duckworth said “betrays TSA’s mission.”
The legal and safety concerns
Legal deadlines: Duckworth warned the agency may have violated federal requirements by missing a 90-day deadline under federal law, Office of Management and Budget guidance, and DHS directives to provide a corrective action plan after receiving the OIG’s findings. She characterized the lapse as an “outrageous, unacceptable and dangerous” failure of leadership that risked public safety.
Historical context: Duckworth connected the debate to the post-2001 origin of the shoes-off rule, which followed the Richard Reid “shoe bomber” attempt. She argued the new findings demonstrate why the original policy existed and said restoring shoes-off screening is the prudent immediate step until scanners are proven safe for footwear.
Timeline and administrative context
The shoes-on policy was implemented on July 8, 2025 under then-Secretary Kristi Noem, who framed the change as a way to reduce wait times and improve checkpoint efficiency. Reporting indicates Noem was later removed and replaced by Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Duckworth’s public demand came in April 2026, after media reporting on the OIG audit and apparent inaction following the OIG’s escalation.
Media reporting and official responses
Coverage has emphasized the classified nature of the OIG report. CBS News reported on the “buried” findings and the OIG’s use of a Seven-Day Letter. Passenger Terminal Today detailed red team testing and Duckworth’s statement. Fox News summarized the accusations and noted Noem’s ouster. As of reporting, TSA and DHS have not provided a detailed public response and no immediate comment from Kristi Noem was found in reviewed outlets.
Investigative context: what “red team” testing means
Red team testing simulates how an attacker might attempt to bypass security defenses. Duckworth’s letter and reporting indicate OIG testers were able to hide test items in shoes that scanners did not detect. The OIG’s decision to send a Seven-Day Letter signaled the watchdog judged the vulnerability urgent and in need of quick attention from DHS leadership.
Why the debate matters for travelers and security
Supporters of the shoes-on change argued it would cut wait times and improve passenger experience. Duckworth and other critics countered that convenience cannot trump safety when equipment has not been proven to detect shoe-borne threats. The senator stressed that even a single successful attack could be catastrophic and called restoring shoes-off screening the most immediate mitigation while technical fixes are developed.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic impact: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and other Southern California airports handle millions of passengers. A policy reversal to shoes-off could slow checkpoints and affect schedules, operations and commerce. Airports and airlines may need to adjust staffing, signage and passenger flows, creating short-term costs at busy hubs.
Political consequences: Local leaders in the Los Angeles area may welcome precautionary returns to shoes-off screening. California officials focused on transportation and homeland security could seek greater transparency and timelines from TSA and DHS; congressional responses may prompt additional oversight.
Social and accessibility effects: A return to shoes-off screening would require accommodations for travelers with disabilities or medical needs. Airports should plan accessible lanes and clear guidance to reduce passenger stress and confusion.
What comes next
Duckworth’s letter demands immediate corrective action and the withdrawal of Noem’s shoes-on policy. Lawmakers and local officials may press TSA for details on the OIG findings and a timetable to remediate scanner or procedural gaps. For now, this remains an active federal oversight and passenger-safety issue that could affect millions of travelers, including those using Los Angeles-area airports.
Sources and reporting
Reporting for this article relied on Duckworth’s public letter and media coverage of the OIG findings, including:
- Passenger Terminal Today
- CBS News
- Fox News
- Local broadcast clips: NBC Chicago video and WGN video
No public responses from TSA, DHS, or Kristi Noem were located in the reviewed sources.
