Senate Democrat Demands TSA Reinstate Shoes-Off Screening After Classified Report Finds Scanners Fail to Detect Weapons in Footwear
Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged the TSA to reinstate shoes-off screening after a classified DHS Inspector General report found current scanners fail to reliably detect weapons in footwear, accusing DHS leadership of ignoring urgent warnings for seven months.
- Urgent safety concern: A classified DHS OIG red-team test found scanners struggle to image footwear accurately, prompting a rare Seven-Day Letter.
- Senator’s demand: Sen. Duckworth asked Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to restore shoes-off screening immediately while fixes are implemented.
- Legal and operational questions: The agency reportedly missed a required 90-day corrective-action window, raising compliance concerns and operational impacts for airports like Fresno Yosemite International.
What the DHS Inspector General report found
A classified audit by the DHS Office of Inspector General used covert “red team” testing to evaluate Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners at checkpoints. The OIG concluded that current scanners are not effective at imaging footwear and can miss dangerous items hidden in shoes — a finding serious enough to trigger a rare Seven-Day Letter to DHS leadership.
Reporting indicates the OIG’s warning emphasized immediate risk, but the agency did not follow with swift corrective action. Sources reporting details include CBS News, Fox News, and Passenger Terminal Today.
Duckworth’s letter and accusations
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee, wrote to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill demanding the immediate withdrawal of the shoes-on policy. In the letter, Duckworth described the July 8 decision by then–DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as a “reckless act” and a “stunning failure of leadership” that “gambles the American people’s security.”
“The agency has allowed a potentially catastrophic security deficiency to persist for seven months,” Duckworth wrote, arguing that the Department missed a legally required 90-day window to outline corrective actions.
Duckworth also warned the lapse could violate federal law and Office of Management and Budget guidance if the OIG’s classified report prompted no timely response. Coverage and the text of Duckworth’s letter are available via CBS News and reporting from Passenger Terminal Today.
Background on the shoes-on policy change
The shoes-off requirement traces to the 2001 Richard Reid shoe-bombing attempt. For years TSA required travelers to remove shoes so scanners could inspect them. On July 8, 2025, then–DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced a change allowing passengers to keep shoes on during screening, saying the move would reduce wait times and improve passenger experience. Multiple reports indicate that decision involved limited consultation with TSA staff.
Passenger Terminal Today reported on the policy change and subsequent questions about implementation and oversight; see Passenger Terminal Today for technical and timeline details.
Policy timeline and personnel changes
Noem’s shoes-on policy took effect July 8, 2025. Reports note that Noem was removed from the DHS post the following month and replaced by Secretary Markwayne Mullin — a personnel change Duckworth criticized as part of a politicized approach to DHS management. Details on timing and personnel were reported by Passenger Terminal Today.
Media coverage and public reaction
Major outlets obtained Duckworth’s letter and reported her public call to reverse the shoes-on policy after the OIG findings were revealed. CBS News said it obtained the letter; Fox News and Passenger Terminal Today provided additional context. Local TV coverage included NBC Chicago and WGN News segments of Duckworth’s remarks.
Legal and safety questions raised
Lawmakers and watchdogs highlighted that missing the 90-day corrective-action window after an OIG alert could create legal exposure for DHS and conflict with OMB and DHS directives. More immediately, critics warn that keeping shoes-on while scanners cannot reliably detect threats raises the risk of dangerous items being smuggled aboard aircraft.
Implications for Fresno, California
Airport security and traveler safety: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) connects the Central Valley to major hubs; if shoes-on screening remains despite scanner limits, local travelers — families, students and agricultural workers — may face heightened safety concerns.
Operational impact: Reinstating shoes-off screening would require retraining, signage changes and lane reconfiguration at FAT, potentially increasing wait times and staffing needs during peak travel periods.
Economic effects: Sudden checkpoint changes can slow travel, affect schedules and temporarily impact hotels, conventions and businesses that rely on predictable travel flows.
Political and community response: Local leaders and constituents may press for transparent briefings from TSA and airport officials and demand clear timelines for corrective actions.
Practical guidance for travelers: Fresno travelers should monitor updates from Fresno Yosemite International Airport and TSA. If shoes-off returns, plan extra time and be prepared to remove footwear at checkpoints.
Responses and next steps
As of this article, TSA had not publicly reversed the shoes-on policy. Duckworth requested Acting Administrator McNeill to withdraw the policy and resume shoes-off screening while technical fixes are implemented. The classified nature of the OIG findings has limited public disclosure, increasing pressure on DHS to clarify what corrective steps have been taken and the expected timeline.
Reporting note and sources
This article draws on reporting and public statements from the following sources:
