Americans were forced to deal with a litany of intrusive policies in the wake of 9/11, ostensibly for their own safety. But nearly a quarter of a century later, it’s clear that some of the bureaucracies created after that horrific terrorist attack have become hopelessly bloated and inefficient.
For that reason, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) recently offered his endorsement of abolishing the Transportation Security Administration.
According to TheBlaze:
“Air-travel security need not depend on TSA. Airlines have many compelling reasons to keep weapons out of planes. They’d do so if a federal agency didn’t do it for them—probably better than TSA, without implicating the Constitution, and in a manner more respectful to passengers,” Lee tweeted.
“It’s time to abolish the TSA. Airlines can and will secure their own planes if a federal agency doesn’t do it for them. They’ll do it better than TSA, without undermining the Constitution and with less groping—showing more respect for passengers,” Lee wrote.
The agency was established in the in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. “The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, passed by the 107th Congress and signed on November 19, 2001, established TSA,” according to tsa.gov, which indicates that the agency’s mission is to “protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.”
His rationale attracted some immediate support on social media.
100% agree. TSA has consistently had over a 90% failure rate. But now as technology has evolved it would be the perfect time to dismantle the over bloated bureaucracy and hand it over to the airlines.
— Air Marshal National Council (@FAMS_AMNC) March 11, 2024
Love this idea.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 11, 2024
Market forces FTW.
TSA body scanners to stop a shoe bomber, fast forward 20 years and the DHS declares election deniers and vax skeptics as cyber terrorists.
Nothing good ever comes from federal knee-jerk action.— Graft (@kentron5S) March 11, 2024
My question: Why do illegals get preferred treatment from the TSA? I’m over here getting felt up by some rando because I had a piece of gum in my pocket, and they’re chauffeured through security like the Kardashians.
— Zach Crandell (@zacharipng) March 11, 2024
Senator Lee, I have cerebral palsy and a fairly sizable YouTube channel. I am going to do a video describing the unconscionably invasive practices handicapped people must regularly endure when going through TSA – even those like myself who have TSA Precheck. I will tag you in it.…
— Justin Peters (@JustinPetersMin) March 11, 2024
Considering how air marshals have been spending their time lately, perhaps more GOP lawmakers should be considering Lee’s assessment.
Here’s what the Daily Wire reported in November:
The Biden administration’s Department of Homeland Security has had federal air marshals following people for years who flew to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, even if they did not go to the Capitol and were never charged with a crime, according to an association representing air marshals.
Air marshals were allegedly pulled off of sensitive missions to follow potential conservatives, suggesting that not only was a law enforcement agency politicized, but that people with no involvement in politics might have been placed at risk as a result. The finding comes amidst the revelation that the FBI let an apparent child rapist go free to pursue January 6 cases.
Here’s a little more on that troubling development:
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