The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released explosive new evidence Wednesday revealing how the Transportation Security Agency’s (TSA) watchlisting program was weaponized for political purposes during the Biden administration.
Internal documents and correspondence exposed a two-tiered system where Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) secured special treatment for her husband while federal air marshals simultaneously conducted surveillance operations against Biden administration critics.
Billy Shaheen, married to the Democrat senator, received enhanced screening after traveling with an individual classified as a known or suspected terrorist.
His wife immediately intervened to protect him from standard security protocols.
Sen. Shaheen first contacted TSA officials in July 2023 following her husband’s flagging during two separate flights.
The Democrat lawmaker’s intervention produced swift results for her family member.
Records demonstrate that Billy Shaheen obtained an exemption just two days after Sen. Shaheen contacted TSA Administrator David Pekoske in October 2023.
The senator specifically requested what documents describe as a “blank exemption” for her husband.
TSA leadership granted Billy Shaheen placement on the agency’s Secure Flight Exclusion List later that month. This designation prevented surveillance of his travel activities for the next 18 months until April 2024.
The exemption remained in effect despite Billy Shaheen’s documented travel history