Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump's nominee for a top intelligence position, was briefly placed on a Transportation Security Administration list that triggers extra security screening before flights. This occurred due to her overseas travel patterns and foreign connections setting off a government algorithm earlier this year.
Gabbard was swiftly removed from the list, known as 'Quiet Skies,' after publicly claiming she had been added to a 'secret terror watchlist.' She alleged that her criticism of then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris led to her inclusion, a claim denied by sources.
Security officials have raised concerns about Gabbard's unconventional relationships abroad, including her unauthorized trip to Syria to meet with President Bashar al-Assad in 2017. While the reasons for her placement on Quiet Skies may be harmless, the situation is deemed highly unusual for a nominee for a top government position.
The Quiet Skies program analyzes travel patterns, foreign ties, and other data from government sources to determine additional security screening by Air Marshals. It is distinct from the FBI's terrorist watchlist and is known for having less stringent inclusion criteria.
Despite TSA not confirming Gabbard's presence on the list, they clarified that Quiet Skies is not a terrorist watchlist but a risk-based security program utilizing intelligence information for limited passenger screening.
Questions have arisen regarding the background check process for Gabbard's nomination, with concerns about potential risks posed by her conduct. Trump's indication of bypassing standard procedures for top nominees has added to the uncertainty surrounding Gabbard's nomination, given her history of controversial foreign policy stances.
