Tulsi Gabbard recently opened up about an unusual and frustrating ordeal she faced while traveling—being placed on a secretive air travel watchlist called Quiet Skies.
She claims this was not just a routine security measure, but a politically motivated attempt to intimidate her.
The Quiet Skies Watchlist: What Is It?
The Quiet Skies program involves federal air marshals following certain U.S. citizens who are flagged as posing an “elevated risk to aviation security.”
These marshals monitor everything from the person’s appearance to the electronics they carry, and even who they meet during their travels.
Gabbard says that at any given time, about five agents were assigned to track her movements on flights and through airports.
Why Was Gabbard Targeted?
According to Gabbard, the trouble began in late July 2024, just one day after she publicly criticized Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
Speaking on Fox News, she described how she believed this watchlist placement was a form of retaliation designed to send a chilling message: criticize Harris, and you will face consequences.
“It was absolutely politically motivated,” Gabbard said.
“They wanted to intimidate me and warn others not to speak out against Harris.”
The Day-to-Day Impact of Surveillance
Her experience wasn’t just about being on a list.
Gabbard says every time she traveled, she was subjected to grueling security screenings that could last up to 40 minutes.
Sometimes, she had to go through these procedures multiple times for the same flight, all while being told she was “randomly selected.”
This constant scrutiny made clear the invasive nature of the program.
She pointed out that despite the program running for nearly two decades, it has never caught a terrorist—yet federal agents surveil 40 to 50 Americans daily for vague and arbitrary reasons.
Official Responses and Conflicting Stories
When Republicans started probing why Gabbard was under surveillance, the TSA reportedly began changing their explanations.
Some sources close to the government told CNN that Gabbard’s overseas travel patterns and associations with certain foreign entities triggered an algorithm that flagged her as a security risk.
They also claimed she attended a Vatican event hosted by someone on an FBI watchlist, but these sources dismissed her political retaliation theory.
Gabbard, however, countered that the key difference was her outspoken criticism of Harris on television right before her return trip.
Political Voices Join the Conversation
Republican Senator Rand Paul confirmed Gabbard’s placement on the Quiet Skies list, revealing that federal air marshals had been surveilling her domestic flights and reporting detailed information about her activities.
He called this an example of the government’s ongoing politicization and misuse of security programs.
Gabbard herself condemned the Biden administration for “weaponizing” government tools against citizens, calling it a violation of constitutional rights and civil liberties.
TSA’s Official Statement
The TSA has defended the Quiet Skies program as a necessary security measure.
A spokesperson said it uses a “risk-based, automated approach” to identify potential threats and apply enhanced security measures to keep the nation’s transportation safe while preserving freedom of movement.
What’s Next?
With new details emerging from government committees and public figures weighing in, the controversy around Quiet Skies and Gabbard’s experience raises tough questions about privacy, security, and political retaliation.
How will these revelations affect the future use of watchlists and the balance between safety and civil liberties?
The debate is far from over.