The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused a veteran Democratic senator of improperly influencing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to remove her husband from the Quiet Skies watchlist program, raising concerns about corruption and politicization within the agency. The Quiet Skies program, implemented by the TSA, is a risk-based security initiative that identifies passengers for enhanced screening based on intelligence or behavioral indicators, such as travel patterns or associations with known or suspected terrorists (KSTs). It aims to mitigate potential aviation security threats but has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and inconsistent application.
The individual in question is William “Billy” Shaheen, husband of New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen. According to the DHS, Billy Shaheen traveled with a KST three times in a single year, triggering scrutiny under the Quiet Skies and broader TSA watchlisting programs. The Trump administration claims to have evidence—documents, correspondence, and timelines—showing that these programs were manipulated under the Biden administration to favor politically connected individuals, compromising national security.
The DHS alleges that Senator Shaheen directly lobbied former TSA Administrator David Pekoske, who issued explicit directives to remove Billy Shaheen from the Quiet Skies list. Pekoske reportedly granted Shaheen a blanket exemption, despite his documented travel with a KST on three occasions. This exemption, which has since been revoked by current TSA leadership, allegedly shielded Shaheen from further scrutiny.
A spokesperson for Senator Shaheen told Fox News Digital that she contacted the TSA after her husband endured “extensive, invasive, and degrading searches” at airport checkpoints. The senator sought to understand the reasons behind these screenings, and her office denied any prior knowledge of Shaheen’s inclusion on the Quiet Skies list or his subsequent removal.
According to the DHS timeline, Billy Shaheen was flagged as a “TSA Random Selectee” and a co-traveler with a KST on flights in July and October 2023. Following Senator Shaheen’s inquiry and a meeting with Pekoske, then-Assistant Administrator Nancy Nykamp approved Shaheen’s addition to the Secure Flight Exclusion List on October 20, 2023. This designation exempted him from future TSA Random Selectee, Quiet Skies, or other rules-based designations for 18 months until his removal in 2025.
The DHS claims the Secure Flight Exclusion List also included foreign royals, political elites, athletes, and journalists, suggesting favoritism. In contrast, figures like Tulsi Gabbard, appointed by President Trump as director of national intelligence, were reportedly placed on the Quiet Skies list without clear justification or oversight.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the program, stating, “Quiet Skies was used as a political tool by the Biden administration, targeting foes while protecting allies. It should prioritize equal security, not political agendas.” She pledged that the Trump administration would restore fairness and transparency to aviation screening.
Senator Shaheen’s daughter, Stefany Shaheen, now running as a candidate for a key House seat, defended her father, a Lebanese American attorney, former Army captain, and judge. In a radio interview, she called the allegations a “misunderstanding,” emphasizing his patriotism and long legal career. She insisted her mother’s actions aimed to clarify the situation, not exert undue influence.
The DHS has criticized Quiet Skies for its limited security impact and burden on travelers. Senator Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will not seek re-election in 2026. The allegations continue to fuel debate over the fairness and accountability of TSA’s Quiet Skies and watchlisting programs.