World

Trump Administration Shuts Down Controversial ‘Quiet Skies’ Surveillance Program

The Trump administration has officially shut down the ‘Quiet Skies’ passenger surveillance program, a covert initiative run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that placed undercover US air marshals on flights to monitor certain passengers.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the program’s termination on Thursday and called for a formal investigation into its operations.

DHS stated that the program cost taxpayers $200 million annually and ‘failed to stop a single terrorist attack’.

The administration also removed a government official found responsible for including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in the surveillance list, a decision that sparked controversy and drew criticism from both political and civil rights circles.

Political Clash Over Quiet Skies Program

In a recent high-level meeting, Trump administration officials confronted TSA leadership over the program’s alleged politically motivated applications during the Biden administration.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, citing The Wall Street Journal, the administration accused career officials of using the Quiet Skies program for partisan purposes.

The Boston Globe exposed the existence of the Quiet Skies program in 2018, revealing a surveillance initiative that had remained largely under the radar since its launch in 2010.

The initiative drew heavy criticism from civil liberties advocates, who argued that it enabled invasive and unchecked government surveillance of US citizens.

How Quiet Skies Program Operate?

The program tasked TSA analysts and undercover air marshals with monitoring air travellers who were flagged as potential risks.

TSA analysts and air marshals surveilled these individuals in airports and onboard flights using tools such as facial recognition software, outstanding warrants, travel behaviour analysis, and identification of suspicious travel patterns.

Despite its broad surveillance reach, critics argue that Quiet Skies offered little transparency and failed to yield measurable security benefits.

The DHS’s acknowledgement that it prevented no terrorist attacks throughout its operation has further fueled criticism.

Another Flashpoint In Political Weaponisation Debate

The shutdown of Quiet Skies highlights a growing debate in Washington over the political weaponisation of intelligence and surveillance tools.

The Trump administration has positioned the program’s closure as part of a broader effort to curb politically motivated misuse of federal security programs.

The decision to end the Quiet Skies program adds a new chapter to the ongoing national conversation around privacy, government overreach, and the balance between security and civil liberties.

Also Read: Musk Calls For Trump’s Impeachment And Begins Decommissioning SpaceX Programme

Purnima Mishra

Recent Posts

Bullet Discovery At Hyderabad Metro Sparks Police Investigation

A 9 mm bullet was found in a commuter’s bag at Hyderabad’s Moosapet Metro Station,…

59 mins ago

Neurosurgeon Reveals Everyday Habits That Gradually Harm Brain Health

Neurosurgeon Dr Richard Veyna warns that poor sleep, stress, inactivity, and sugary diets can harm…

2 hours ago

Amazon Diwali Sale: Last-Minute Smartphone Deals You Can Grab Before October 20

Amazon Diwali sale ends October 20; grab last-minute deals on Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, Realme, and…

3 hours ago

Government Extends GSTR-3B Filing Deadline By Five Days Owing To Festive Season

The government has extended the GSTR-3B filing deadline to 25 October 2025, giving taxpayers extra…

3 hours ago

Virat Kohli Returns To International Cricket; Claims Peak Fitness After Hiatus

Virat Kohli returns to international cricket for India’s ODI series in Australia, asserting peak fitness…

5 hours ago

Ibrahim Ali Khan Shares Festive Selfie With Brothers Taimur And Jeh; Calls Them ‘Teeno Bhai Teeno Tabahi’

Ibrahim Ali Khan celebrates Diwali with a festive selfie alongside his younger brothers Taimur and…

6 hours ago