WASHINGTON – Empower Oversight is pressing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for additional records about its Federal Air Marshals Service surveillance programs and asking her to bring transparency and accountability to the programs. The organization’s request stems from the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) misuse of its “Quiet Skies” surveillance program, including its targeting of former Congresswoman and now-Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Empower Oversight helped multiple whistleblowers from the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) make protected disclosures to Congress about TSA’s heightened surveillance of Gabbard following an appearance on Fox News. The surveillance included at least eight domestic flights and involved multiple federal personnel and resources, including Explosive Detection Canine Teams, a Transportation Security Specialist (explosives), a plainclothes TSA Supervisor, and three Federal Air Marshals. The database entry for Ms. Gabbard alarmingly used her congressional photo rather than a standard identification photo.
Congressional leaders swiftly demanded accountability and expressed great concern over the political targeting and misuse of federal surveillance resources. Despite repeated requests, TSA failed to provide Congress with key records until May 19, 2025.
Even more recently, FAMS Director Brian Belcher, during a May 21, 2025, townhall with the agency’s Washington Field Office, reportedly justified the surveillance of Ms. Gabbard, stating, “No one is above the law.” His remarks contradicted the classified nature of the Quiet Skies program, which operates without public accountability or clear legal standards, and has raised concerns about politically motivated surveillance.
Empower Oversight president Tristan Leavitt today is submitting a Freedom of Information Act request for:
- The agenda and list of speakers for the May 21, 2025 townhall.
- A list of all attendees, whether in person or via Microsoft Teams.
- Any recording from the townhall, including remarks by Director Belcher.
- All records or communications regarding the townhall.
For a copy of the letter to Noem, click here.
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