During her 13-month tenure as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem implemented sweeping changes to airport security policies. Her initiatives aimed to enhance passenger flow and reduce stress at checkpoint lines, including the significant move to eliminate the longstanding shoes-off requirement. These changes were widely publicized, with press conferences at various airports showcasing new procedures.
Under Noem’s leadership, TSA allowed travelers to retain liquids and laptops in carry-on bags across certain checkpoints equipped with computed tomography (CT) scanners. She also promoted the expansion of biometric facial recognition technology, enabling passengers to use facial scans as their sole identification method at 65 airports, and piloted programs allowing international arrivals to bypass re-screening and baggage checks at U.S. hubs.
Despite the perceived operational improvements, some security experts raised concerns. A classified DHS inspector general report in November 2025 cautioned that certain body scanners used at airports could not adequately scan shoes, creating potential vulnerabilities. Noem reportedly declined to address these vulnerabilities publicly and prevented the report from being released.
Added to these security issues, Noem made the abrupt decision to shut down the PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to funding lapses, although partial restorations occurred later. The closures had operational implications, especially at busy airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, where both programs were temporarily halted. Around 50,000 TSA officers have worked without pay since mid-February, raising concerns about staffing shortages and potential delays.
The impact of these rapid reforms and security concerns persists as her departure from office leaves unresolved questions about the future trajectory of airport security policies in the United States, amid ongoing political debates over funding and safety.
