Sen. Duckworth Demands TSA Reverse “Shoes-On” Policy, Citing Classified Report That Finds Scanners Can’t Screen Shoes
Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged TSA to reverse its “shoes-on” airport screening policy, citing a classified DHS inspector general report that found scanners cannot reliably detect weapons hidden in footwear, calling the vulnerability “unacceptable” and urged immediate action.
- Classified IG findings: Covert testing reportedly shows Advanced Imaging Technology scanners may miss threats concealed in shoes.
- Policy reversal demanded: Duckworth asked Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to restore the long-standing shoes-off practice.
- Legal concerns: Duckworth says DHS missed a required 90-day window to outline corrective actions, raising oversight questions.
- Operational impacts: Reinstating shoes-off could slow processing at major airports but serves as an immediate low-tech mitigation.
Overview
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) has formally demanded that the Transportation Security Administration immediately reverse the July 8, 2025 change that allows passengers to keep their shoes on during checkpoint screening. Her demand cites a classified Department of Homeland Security inspector general review that Duckworth and reporters say identified a detection gap in current screening systems for footwear.
What the watchdog found
Reporting based on the classified inspector general review indicates DHS used covert “red team” testing and concluded that TSA Advanced Imaging Technology full-body scanners do not effectively detect items concealed inside shoes. The IG reportedly sent a rare “Seven-Day Letter” to then-Secretary Kristi Noem to flag the issue as urgent, warning that the shoes-on policy could allow a determined attacker to smuggle a dangerous object past checkpoint screening.
Coverage of the inspector general’s testing and findings appears in Passenger Terminal Today and CBS News.
Duckworth’s letter and legal arguments
In a letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, Duckworth called the July 8, 2025 policy change by then-Secretary Kristi Noem a “reckless” decision that “betrays TSA’s mission.” She demanded an immediate return to the long-standing shoes-off screening practice and argued that DHS missed a legally required 90-day deadline to outline corrective actions after the inspector general’s urgent report — a lapse she warns may violate federal oversight rules.
Duckworth called Noem’s failure to act a “stunning failure of leadership.”
Fox News and CBS News provide reporting on Duckworth’s letter and the timeline of events: Fox News, CBS News.
How the policy changed
The shoes-off requirement dates back nearly 20 years, instituted after the 2001 shoe-bomb attempt. On July 8, 2025, then-Secretary Kristi Noem announced a shift to a shoes-on screening policy intended to speed processing and ease traveler inconvenience. Critics said the change should have followed full technical validation of screening equipment and remediation of any detection gaps.
Reporting on the policy change and reactions is available from Passenger Terminal Today and Fox News.
TSA response and leadership changes
After the inspector general’s classified findings, the watchdog reportedly flagged the issue urgently to DHS leadership. Those concerns did not prompt timely corrective action under Secretary Noem, who was removed from her position last month and replaced by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Despite leadership change, the shoes-on policy remained in place, and Duckworth’s letter to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill seeks an immediate policy withdrawal pending fixes.
Sources reporting on the leadership timeline and congressional reaction include CBS News and Fox News.
Red team testing and technical limits
The inspector general’s review used covert “red team” testing — simulated concealment attempts by trained testers — and reportedly found a detection gap with current Advanced Imaging Technology when screening shoes. The report is classified, limiting public detail, but the central takeaway reported by multiple outlets is that scanners alone cannot be relied on to detect every object concealed in footwear.
Further reading on the testing methods is available at Passenger Terminal Today and CBS News.
Legal and oversight questions
Duckworth’s letter raises the prospect that failing to act on the inspector general’s urgent report may violate federal oversight rules that require agencies to respond within specified time frames. She urged investigation and corrective steps, suggesting lawmakers and oversight officials could press for briefings, public release of non-sensitive findings, or corrective rulemaking at TSA.
Potential effects on travelers and airport operations
Operational impact: A return to shoes-off screening could initially slow lines as travelers adjust, require signage, staff retraining, and possible reconfiguration of checkpoints.
Security trade-off: Restoring shoe removal provides an immediate, low-tech mitigation to the gap identified while longer-term technical fixes are pursued.
Implications for California
Economic: Major hubs like LAX, SFO and SAN could face slower processing and increased operational costs, affecting tourism, business travel and cargo handling.
Political and social: California officials from both parties may pressure federal agencies for rapid fixes; airports will need accessible lanes and assistance for travelers with mobility needs to maintain security and dignity.
Practical steps: Airports should prepare updated traveler communications, signage, staff retraining, and consider dedicated lanes for passengers needing help. Industry outlets such as Passenger Terminal Today have discussed how airports balance security and throughput.
Sources and reporting
Reporting on Senator Duckworth’s demand and the inspector general’s findings is available at Passenger Terminal Today, CBS News, and coverage of the congressional response and timeline at Fox News.
Next steps and outstanding questions
Questions remain about the specific corrective steps TSA will take, the timeline for any change, and whether further public disclosure of the inspector general’s findings will be possible without compromising security. Senator Duckworth’s letter increases pressure on TSA and DHS leadership to act swiftly to address what she calls an unacceptable airport security vulnerability.
