Duckworth demands TSA reverse ‘shoes on’ policy, says Noem’s move created dangerous airport security gap
Sen. Tammy Duckworth demanded the TSA immediately reverse the July 2025 “shoes-on” rule, citing a classified OIG red-team test she says shows some scanners fail to detect shoe-borne explosives, creating a nationwide airport security risk.
- OIG test: A classified DHS Office of Inspector General red-team test reportedly found some TSA scanners cannot effectively screen shoes — CBS News, Passenger Terminal Today.
- Policy reversal demanded: Duckworth called Kristi Noem’s July 8, 2025 decision to allow travelers to keep shoes on a “reckless act” and urged Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to reverse it — Passenger Terminal Today, Fox News.
- Legal concerns: Duckworth says the OIG issued an urgent “Seven-Day Letter” and the agency missed a required 90-day deadline to outline corrective actions, raising possible legal violations — Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News.
Main content
Background: Why shoes were once checked
The “shoes-off” rule dates to the 2001 attempt by Richard Reid, the so‑called “shoe bomber,” who tried to detonate an explosive hidden in his shoe aboard a passenger jet. For nearly two decades, passengers were routinely asked to remove shoes during screening. Duckworth invokes that history as context for her call to reinstate the practice — Passenger Terminal Today.
What the OIG test reportedly found
Duckworth’s letter cites a classified OIG “red team” test that reportedly showed certain TSA Advanced Imaging Technology full-body scanners fail to detect items hidden in shoes. The inspector general’s findings supposedly prompted a “Seven‑Day Letter” to then-Secretary Kristi Noem indicating urgent concern; the OIG flagged this as an immediate security risk — CBS News, Passenger Terminal Today.
“A potentially catastrophic security deficiency” — phrase used by Duckworth to describe the failure to address the OIG finding for months.
Duckworth’s accusations and legal argument
In a letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, Duckworth called Noem’s July 8, 2025 policy change “a reckless act” that likely occurred without meaningful consultation with TSA. She wrote that leaving a “potentially catastrophic security deficiency” unaddressed for seven months is a betrayal of TSA’s mission.
Duckworth also argued the agency may have violated federal law and Office of Management and Budget guidance by missing a 90‑day deadline to describe corrective actions after receiving the OIG report — Passenger Terminal Today, Fox News, CBS News.
Noem’s policy and stated rationale
Kristi Noem announced the shoes-on policy on July 8, 2025, saying it would reduce airport wait times and improve passenger flow. Duckworth and other critics question whether that convenience is worth the possible security trade-off and reporting suggests the decision may have been implemented without full coordination with TSA leadership — Passenger Terminal Today, Fox News.
Chain of command and leadership questions
Duckworth’s letter singles out what she calls a failure of leadership, writing that Noem’s shift showed a “willingness to gamble the American people’s security.” She described the lack of corrective action as “outrageous, unacceptable and dangerous.” As the ranking member of a Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee, Duckworth’s push signals heightened congressional scrutiny over how security-related policy changes are decided — Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News.
Timing and personnel note
News reports indicate Noem was removed from her DHS role last month and Secretary Markwayne Mullin replaced her. Duckworth’s letter asserts that Noem ignored the OIG’s urgent flag before leaving the job. Reporting does not show a public response from TSA, DHS, or Noem about the claims — Fox News, CBS News.
Coverage and documentation
This development was reported through national and trade outlets. Passenger Terminal Today has a detailed account of Duckworth’s letter and the OIG findings. CBS News obtained the senator’s letter. Fox News and broadcast outlets provided additional coverage; local clips are available online — video clip, video clip.
Questions left unanswered
- The OIG report is classified; full details are not public and reporting relies on Duckworth’s letter and news accounts — CBS News.
- TSA and DHS responses have not been published in available reports; outlets say no formal reply is recorded — Fox News, CBS News.
- It is unclear what immediate steps Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill will take in response to Duckworth’s request — Passenger Terminal Today.
Implications for the United States
Economic and travel impact: If TSA reverses the shoes-on policy, passengers could face longer security lines, routine shoe removal, and slower checkpoint throughput. Airlines and airports may need to adjust staffing and screening procedures. Duckworth argues that any slowdown is a small price to pay for stronger security — Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News.
Political consequences: The dispute will likely fuel partisan debate over homeland security, executive decision-making, and agency oversight. Duckworth frames her demand as nonpartisan public-safety oversight — Fox News, CBS News.
Social effects: Travelers may face renewed scrutiny at checkpoints and heightened anxiety about in‑flight safety. Lawmakers and airport officials may hold hearings, raising public attention about screening technology and safety standards — Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News.
Practical applications: TSA could adopt interim measures — targeted shoe checks, random screening, or updated scanner technology — while evaluating the OIG findings. Duckworth’s demand presses the agency to prioritize passenger safety over convenience and to publish corrective steps within required deadlines to avoid further scrutiny — Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News, Fox News.
Reporting notes and sources
This article relies on the senator’s letter and reporting by national and trade outlets. Key sources: Passenger Terminal Today; CBS News; Fox News; video clips and local broadcasts — YouTube clip, YouTube clip.
The debate over Senator Duckworth’s TSA shoes policy challenge has reopened questions about the balance between traveler convenience and national security, the adequacy of current screening technology, and how quickly federal agencies must respond when watchdogs raise urgent alarms.
