DHS Says Innocent Citizens Were Put on Watchlists for Resisting Masks, Protesting

A recent Department of Homeland Security probe claims that the former administration ‘weaponized’ the Transportation Security Administration for political gain, referencing citizens who were watchlisted for resisting mask mandates or participating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The agency has pushed the case up to the Department of Justice for further review.

"Biden’s TSA Administrator [David] Pekoske and his cronies abused their authority and weaponized the federal government against the very people they were charged with protecting," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on social media. "President Trump promised to end the weaponization of government against the American people, and we are making good on that promise."

According to DHS, former TSA Administrator David Pekoske and senior officials oversaw the so-called “Operation Freedom to Breathe,” which began in 2021 after mask mandates had already been relaxed. The investigation found that individuals who resisted mask requirements or protested government mandates were flagged for additional screening, denied boarding, or monitored by Federal Air Marshals. The agency’s primary point of contention is that similar measures were not applied to participants in the 2020 George Floyd protests, raising accusations of political bias.

The report specified that at least 19 citizens were placed on no-fly lists for reasons related to mask noncompliance, while more than 280 tied to January 6 demonstrations were added to broader watchlists. Many of these individuals had not been charged with any crimes and were later removed from the lists. Some cases, the probe claims, included people who were not even present at the Capitol, including a National Guardsman deployed for inauguration security and the wife of a federal air marshal.

The matter has been referred to both the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Congress for review. DHS said five senior leaders at TSA have been removed from their positions, and the agency is reorganizing its Intelligence & Analysis office to strengthen oversight.

FMI: www.dhs.gov