Trump Ousts TSA Administrator
Skift Take
Key Points
- TSA Administrator David Pekoske was fired by President Trump, with no reason provided.
- Pekoske's tenure included plans for a 'One-Stop Security' program and expansion of facial recognition technology.
- Other Biden appointees, like FAA chief Mike Whitaker, also stepped down as Trump took office.
Summary
TSA Administrator David Pekoske was dismissed by President Trump, with no stated reason. Pekoske, appointed by both Trump and Biden, had overseen significant projects such as the 'One-Stop Security' program and the expansion of facial recognition technology. His departure comes amid other resignations, including FAA chief Mike Whitaker, as Trump assumed office.
Trump’s Impact on Travel
Read how the first 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions and policies are shaping the future of travel, and get insights into the industry's evolving response.The head of the Transportation Security Administration told staff in a memo Monday that he was fired by President Donald Trump.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske — who oversaw a staff of 60,000 employees providing security to U.S. airports across the country — wrote that he was “advised by President-elect Trump’s transition team that my time as your administrator will end at noon ET,” according to CNN and Reuters.
The memo didn’t give any reason as to why Trump ousted Pekoske, a former vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The TSA Administrator was first appointed by Trump during his first term in 2017, and former President Joe Biden appointed Pekoske to a second term in 2022.
TSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other Biden appointees have also stepped down as Trump takes office. FAA chief Mike Whitaker told staff in December that he would step down from the post on Inauguration Day.
During his tenure, the TSA saw some of its busiest travel days as demand for premium and international travel picked up in recent years. At the Skift Global Forum in September, Pekoske said the agency was planning to roll out a program, called “One-Stop Security,” that would remove additional security screenings for travelers flying from certain destinations back to the U.S.
The agency had also started expanding its use of facial recognition technology at airports across the country, drawing some scrutiny from Congress.
Pekoske said last year he hoped to stay on the job, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Watch TSA Administrator David Pekoske at the Skift Global Forum:
Photo Caption: TSA Administrator David Pekoske at the Skift Global Forum September 18. Skift Skift
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