An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) audit has exposed serious vulnerabilities in TSA screening procedures at airports nationwide, according to CBS News. The classified report, completed five months ago, remains unresolved as the agency has yet to respond to its findings. This delay coincides with a broader funding crisis at DHS, where TSA agents have gone without pay for 40 days amid Congress' failure to approve funding.
Key Takeaways
A classified DHS audit revealed serious vulnerabilities in TSA airport screenings, but the agency has not responded for five months. The delay is linked to strict distribution limits imposed by former Secretary Kristi Noem. Meanwhile, Congress demands accountability over a $220M ad campaign under her leadership.
- Classified TSA audit identifies screening vulnerabilities
- DHS restricted access to findings, delaying response for 5+ months
- House Homeland Security Committee seeks answers amid funding crisis
- Democrats push subpoena for Lewandowski on controversial ad campaign
The audit involved 'red team' testing, where undercover investigators attempted to bypass security checkpoints with simulated weapons or explosives. Investigators questioned whether a 2025 policy allowing passengers to keep their shoes on during screening may have outpaced the technology's ability to detect hidden threats. Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem previously testified that all recommendations from the inspector general's report had been implemented, but Inspector General Joseph Cuffari disputed this claim in a March 4 memo, stating his office had received no evidence supporting her assertion.
Access to the audit's key findings was restricted to just 13 individuals across government, excluding TSA leadership. This decision has hindered oversight efforts and delayed corrective actions. Congress has also been indirectly affected, as the restrictions limited discussions about the audit with lawmakers beyond a narrow pre-approved group. Under federal law, agencies must issue a 'management decision' within 90 days outlining their response to audit findings, but DHS has not begun this process.
The House Homeland Security Committee is now investigating the stalled oversight mechanism and the classification of key audit findings as top secret. New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, sworn in on Tuesday, may face questions about these issues during an upcoming hearing with TSA's acting administrator. Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing for a subpoena to compel testimony from Corey Lewandowski, Noem's former advisor, over his alleged role in a controversial $220 million DHS ad campaign that bypassed standard competitive bidding processes.
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