As is often noted, Democrats believe there are two sets of rules: one fot Democrats and one for everyone else. And now you can include the TSA to the list. Newly disclosed Department of Homeland Security records have exposed a sweeping abuse of the TSA’s domestic surveillance and watchlisting programs under the Biden administration—granting high-level political favors to allies while targeting critics for heightened scrutiny. At the center of the scandal is Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, whose husband, William “Billy” Shaheen, received a blanket exemption from TSA oversight—even after traveling multiple times alongside a known or suspected terrorist.
The documents, made public today, reveal that in 2023 alone, Billy Shaheen was flagged three separate times by TSA’s “Silent Partner” and “Quiet Skies” programs—federal initiatives meant to detect potential threats through behavioral and association-based monitoring. Rather than allow the system to operate impartially, Senator Shaheen intervened directly with then-TSA Administrator David Pekoske to remove her husband from further screening. Within days, officials approved his placement on the Secure Flight Exclusion List, shielding him from TSA scrutiny going forward.
Meanwhile, critics of the Biden administration—including former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard—were added to the very same surveillance programs with no notice, explanation, or recourse.
“This is not national security,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is political protectionism. The TSA’s exclusion list became a tool to reward the connected and punish the inconvenient.”
Hellbound and Down 