Duckworth Demands TSA Reinstate ‘Shoes-Off’ Rule, Citing Classified Report That Found Scanners Can’t Detect Threats in Footwear
Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged the TSA to restore the airport “shoes-off” requirement after a classified DHS OIG red‑team report found Advanced Imaging Technology scanners cannot reliably detect dangerous items concealed in footwear, creating an immediate aviation security concern.
- Duckworth sent a letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill urging reversal of the July 8, 2025 shoes‑on policy — reporting from CBS News, Passenger Terminal Today, and Fox News.
- Classified DHS OIG testing allegedly found Advanced Imaging Technology scanners “can’t scan shoes” effectively, creating a security vulnerability (CBS News; Passenger Terminal Today).
- OIG issued a rare “Seven‑Day Letter” to then‑DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that Duckworth says went unanswered (CBS News).
- Duckworth alleges missed legal deadlines: the agency failed to meet a 90‑day window to outline corrective actions, potentially violating federal requirements (Passenger Terminal Today; Fox News).
Main content
Key information
Letter to TSA: Senator Tammy Duckworth — ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee that oversees aviation security — sent a formal letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill urging an immediate reversal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s July 8, 2025 policy that allowed travelers to keep shoes on during screening. Reporting summarized the development (CBS News; Passenger Terminal Today; Fox News).
What Duckworth wrote and why she wants the rule back
Duckworth called Noem’s July 8 decision to permit shoes‑on screening a “reckless act” and wrote that allowing the vulnerability to persist for seven months “betrays TSA’s mission.” Her letter cites classified OIG red‑team testing that, according to reporting, found TSA scanners could not reliably detect items hidden inside shoes. Duckworth characterized Noem’s inaction after the OIG’s urgent notice as “outrageous, unacceptable and dangerous”, calling the policy change a “stunning failure of leadership.” (CBS News; Passenger Terminal Today; Fox News).
Background: why shoes-off was the default
The shoes‑off requirement originated after the 2001 attempted shoe bombing by Richard Reid, who hid explosives in his footwear. That incident prompted strict checks to prevent similar attacks, and for roughly two decades removing shoes at checkpoints was standard U.S. practice (Passenger Terminal Today).
Policy shift and the claimed breakdown in review
On July 8, 2025, DHS under Secretary Kristi Noem announced travelers could keep shoes on to shorten wait times and improve convenience. Multiple reports indicate the change proceeded with limited input from TSA technical staff, raising questions about whether proper operational and technical review occurred before the policy shift (Passenger Terminal Today; Fox News; CBS News).
The watchdog report and the “Seven‑Day Letter”
According to reporting, the DHS Office of Inspector General conducted covert red‑team testing of TSA’s Advanced Imaging Technology scanners to assess detection of contraband hidden in shoes. The OIG concluded the scanners could not reliably scan footwear and issued a rare urgent Seven‑Day Letter to then‑Secretary Noem, warning of the risk. Duckworth says Noem received that letter and did not take corrective action (CBS News; Passenger Terminal Today).
Legal and procedural questions
Duckworth’s letter asserts DHS and TSA may have violated federal rules by failing to respond timely to OIG findings. She cites a 90‑day statutory expectation for agencies to outline corrective measures and contends that deadline was missed, which could create a conflict with federal law and Office of Management and Budget guidance. The senator is pressing TSA for an explanation and for immediate withdrawal of the shoes‑on policy (Passenger Terminal Today; Fox News).
No official TSA or DHS response reported
As of reporting, neither the TSA nor DHS issued a public response to Duckworth’s letter or to the reporting about the classified OIG findings. Media outlets note Duckworth’s letter as the first direct lawmaker request to reverse the shoes‑on policy in light of the watchdog report (CBS News).
Political context and personnel changes
Kristi Noem, who implemented the shoes‑on rule last summer, was removed from her post and replaced by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, according to reporting. Duckworth’s request targets actions by Noem and questions whether adequate technical review and legal steps were followed (Fox News; CBS News).
How experts and past incidents frame the concern
Security experts point to the 2001 shoe bomber as the origin of footwear checks. The reported OIG covert testing suggests technology intended to replace physical shoe removal may not perform as expected, highlighting the trade‑off between passenger convenience and layered security. Agencies must weigh operational benefits against potential blind spots in screening technology (Passenger Terminal Today; CBS News).
Implications for the United States of America
Economic and operational impact: Reinstating shoes‑off nationwide would likely slow checkpoint throughput and require staffing or lane adjustments at busy airports. Airports and carriers that emphasized shorter wait times would need to reassess operational plans, balancing costs against safety benefits (Passenger Terminal Today; CBS News).
Political consequences: The dispute underscores competing priorities — speed and convenience versus layered security. Duckworth frames Noem’s policy change as a political gamble that may prompt congressional hearings and oversight into how the policy was decided (Fox News; CBS News).
Social effects and traveler confidence: If OIG findings are accurate, some passengers may feel less safe while scanner blind spots persist. For many, a return to shoe removal may be a modest inconvenience in exchange for perceived safety, while others may object to renewed delays. Clear communication from TSA and DHS will be critical to maintain confidence (Passenger Terminal Today).
Practical applications for airport operations: Airports would need to retrain screeners, update signage, reconfigure lines, and ensure consistent nationwide guidance from TSA. Any efficiency initiatives tied to the shoes‑on policy would require reassessment (Passenger Terminal Today; CBS News).
Next steps and oversight to expect
Duckworth’s public letter raises pressure on TSA and DHS to respond quickly. Lawmakers across the aisle may call for congressional hearings, seek classified briefings, or request declassified summaries of the OIG testing. The situation highlights questions about procedural review for major screening policy changes and whether statutory requirements tied to inspector general findings were followed. Media coverage has brought the issue into national focus, though no public TSA or DHS statement addressing the OIG findings or Duckworth’s demands has been reported (CBS News; Fox News; Passenger Terminal Today).
Sources and reporting
- CBS News: “Senate Democrat demands TSA lift ‘shoes‑on’ policy, warns of safety risk” — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-democrat-demands-tsa-lift-shoes-on-policy-safety-risk/
- Passenger Terminal Today: “Senator calls for return to shoes‑off policy at TSA checkpoints, citing security vulnerability” — https://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/news/regulation-policy/senator-calls-for-return-to-shoes-off-policy-at-tsa-checkpoints-citing-security-vulnerability.html
- Fox News: “Dem lawmaker calls on TSA to bring back ‘shoes‑off’ airport security policy” — https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-lawmaker-calls-tsa-bring-back-shoes-off-airport-security-policy
- Video reports (Duckworth letter timing): Video report 1 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBTWveiuKWQ; Video report 2 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0VXDfMYvrE
“Allowing this resulting vulnerability to stand for seven months betrays TSA’s mission,” Duckworth wrote, calling for immediate corrective action and declassification or briefing on the OIG testing results.
Note: This report preserves the original facts, information, and source links as published in available media coverage.
