Published • loading… • Updated
A classified November DHS report found that allowing shoes on at airport screening created vulnerabilities; the report was reclassified and withheld from public release, officials said.
- On Friday, a classified Department of Homeland Security inspector general report found some TSA full-body scanners can’t scan shoes and that Noem’s shoes-on policy created a security vulnerability, which was then reclassified and blocked from release.
- Kristi Noem pushed the shoes-on policy to speed TSA lines, reversing the old shoes-off rule instituted nearly 20 years ago after Richard Reid, the ‘shoe bomber’.
- Noem’s office denied the Journal’s account and said fixes were made, while the Journal detailed incidents including publishing photos of a secret government facility and personnel issues earlier this month involving a Coast Guard pilot and Corey Lewandowski.
- Several senators warned against a pre-election firing, with Sen. Thom Tillis urging that Noem be fired, citing political risks.
- President Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have repeatedly claimed ‘zero’ crossings, yet some migrants are released after 72 hours with U.S. Border Patrol handing them to ICE, intensifying scrutiny of Noem.
Washington, D.C. — A classified Department of Homeland Security inspector general report has concluded that changes to airport screening procedures under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem created potential security vulnerabilities, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal.
The November report found that certain Transportation Security Administration full-body scanners are unable to effectively scan footwear, raising concerns after Noem supported allowing some travelers to keep their shoes on during screening. The shoes-off policy was implemented nearly 20 years ago following the attempted 2001 bombing by Richard Reid, known as the “shoe bomber.”
According to the Journal, the report was later reclassified and withheld from public release. Noem’s office disputed the characterization, stating that security adjustments were made and that screening remains effective. The administration has argued that streamlining checkpoints reduces wait times without compromising safety.
The Journal also referenced other recent scrutiny surrounding Noem, including disclosure issues involving a sensitive government facility and reported personnel disputes tied to a Coast Guard pilot and political adviser Corey Lewandowski.
Several senators raised concerns about potential political fallout tied to the findings. Sen. Thom Tillis reportedly urged that Noem be dismissed, citing electoral risks. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Noem have continued to defend broader border enforcement policies under their watch.
The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly released the full findings of the inspector general report.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
