Duckworth demands TSA reinstate shoes-off checks, says Noem’s shoes-on change created dangerous security gaps
Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., demanded on April 7, 2026, that the Transportation Security Administration immediately restore the shoes-off screening rule, saying former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s July 8, 2025 shoes-on policy created urgent and dangerous security gaps.
- Immediate demand: On April 7, 2026, Sen. Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill urging restoration of shoes-off screening; reporting noted the demand in Fox News and CBS News.
- Classified IG warning: A classified DHS inspector general red-team test found scanners may not reliably detect threat items concealed in shoes; the IG issued an unusual seven-day letter flagging the issue as urgent (CBS News, YouTube).
- Legal concerns: Duckworth warned TSA may have missed a required 90-day window to outline corrective action, potentially raising legal and oversight consequences (Fox News, CBS News).
- No public agency response yet: As of reports, TSA and DHS had not publicly detailed corrective steps; coverage appeared across Fox News, CBS News and broadcast segments (YouTube).
What Duckworth says in the letter
In the April 7 letter, Sen. Duckworth called Noem’s July 8, 2025 policy change allowing travelers to keep shoes on at security checkpoints a “reckless act” that introduced a “potentially catastrophic security deficiency.” She wrote that the vulnerability has lingered for roughly seven months and that the inspector general informed Noem but “no action was taken.”
Duckworth cited IG language saying current scanners did not reliably flag threat items hidden in footwear and emphasized that the IG issued a rare seven-day letter labeling the issue urgent. She described Noem’s inaction as “outrageous, unacceptable and dangerous to the flying public,” accusing the former secretary of “gambl[ing] the American people’s security.” Reporting on the letter and statements is available from Fox News and CBS News.
What the watchdog found
According to reporting based on a classified DHS inspector general audit, undercover red-team testing attempted to get threat items through screening and found that current TSA scanners may fail to detect dangerous items concealed inside shoes. The IG’s seven-day letter is an unusual, urgent notice reserved when a vulnerability requires immediate leadership attention. Coverage describing the red-team testing and the letter appears in CBS News and in broadcast segments (YouTube).
The audit was kept tightly restricted; CBS News reported the findings were top secret and shared with only a handful of officials, limiting public and congressional review (CBS News).
Background: why shoes-off was standard
The shoes-off screening rule originated after the 2001 “shoe bomber” plot, when Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a transatlantic flight. That incident led to long-standing practice of removing footwear for closer inspection, a context underscored in reporting by CBS News.
Noem’s July 8, 2025 announcement promoting a shoes-on approach framed the change as a measure to cut wait times and speed checkpoints, citing upgraded x‑ray technology to allow safe inspection without removing footwear. The IG testing cited by Duckworth suggests those scanners may not catch all hidden threats — raising questions about whether speed was prioritized over proven security (Fox News, CBS News).
Legal and policy questions raised
Duckworth’s letter raises statutory and oversight issues. She notes federal law and DHS guidelines require documented corrective action when an inspector general flags an urgent vulnerability, and she alleges TSA missed a 90-day deadline to provide that plan. If accurate, the missed deadline could trigger legal remedies, oversight hearings and demands for accountability from Congress (Fox News).
Duckworth also framed the issue as a leadership failure, asserting Noem made the policy shift “likely without meaningful consultation with TSA,” implying the decision was political and rushed and accusing leadership of a “stunning failure of leadership.” Reporting on these claims is available from Fox News and CBS News.
TSA and DHS response (or lack of one)
As of published reports, there was no public, detailed response from TSA or DHS addressing Duckworth’s claims or the inspector general’s findings. Coverage indicated agency officials had not publicly outlined corrective actions, and the classified status of the report limited what could be released (CBS News, Fox News).
Reporting noted the IG shared findings with senior officials and that Duckworth criticized former Secretary Noem for failing to act. Reports also said Noem was removed last month by President Trump and replaced by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin (Fox News).
Implications for Utah
Economic impact
Utah’s economy depends on travel for tourism, business and conventions; Salt Lake City International Airport is a major regional hub. If TSA reinstates shoes-off screening, travelers could face slightly longer security lines, potentially affecting peak-season flow. Businesses tied to swift airport access — conferences, outdoor-tourism operators, and the ski industry — may feel the effect of small delays. Still, most security experts argue that actions preventing attacks protect commerce and traveler confidence (CBS News, Fox News).
Political consequences
Utah’s conservative-leaning electorate values national defense and public safety; restoring shoes-off could attract bipartisan support among lawmakers focused on homeland security. If agencies are seen as failing to act after an urgent IG warning, Utah’s congressional delegation could press for rapid fixes and oversight (Fox News).
Social effects
Many Utah families travel for work, missions and family visits. Concerns about airport security may influence travel behavior: restoring shoes-off checks could reassure some passengers, while poor communication about changes could erode trust in federal agencies. Clear public guidance from TSA and local airport officials will be important (CBS News).
Cultural relevance
Utah communities emphasize personal responsibility and family safety; perceived failure to protect passengers could become a cultural and political issue. For many conservative readers, the key question will be whether policy decisions favored convenience over proven security (Fox News).
Practical applications for travelers and airports
Practical recommendations:
- Travelers: Be prepared for policy shifts; pack and wear easy-on, easy-off shoes if shoes-off screening returns (CBS News).
- Airports and airlines: Plan for possible changes in checkpoint staffing and throughput, and deploy advance public information campaigns to minimize confusion at Salt Lake City International and regional airports (Fox News).
Next steps and oversight
Sen. Duckworth’s demand is likely to prompt further congressional questions and public scrutiny. If the IG’s classified audit identified a critical security gap, lawmakers may press for public accounting and timely corrective action. The classified nature of the report may limit public detail, but statutory deadlines and oversight rules could force some disclosure and agency action. Utah officials and travelers should watch for statements from TSA, DHS leadership and the inspector general (CBS News, Fox News).
Sources and reporting
Primary reporting and coverage referenced in this article include Fox News, CBS News, and broadcast/video segments available on YouTube and YouTube.
