Internal documents reveal the TSA and DHS placed Americans who defied COVID-19 mask mandates or were allegedly tied to the January 6 protests on federal watchlists, including the no-fly list typically reserved for suspected terrorists.
The Biden administration launched the ironically named “Operation Freedom to Breathe,” in September 2021, targeted 19 mask mandate opponents, with more than half barred from flying despite no criminal charges. Some remained on the list until the mandate ended in April 2022. TSA officials warned the effort appeared to punish political expression rather than address transportation security.
Emails show TSA relied on academic databases and social media instead of intelligence agencies, leading to errors such as the wrongful inclusion of a National Guardsman and an air marshal’s wife.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denounced the actions as an abuse of power, and referred the matter to the DOJ and Congress.
About 280 people linked to the Capitol protests were also watchlisted, with at least five placed on the no-fly list—an effort described by TSA sources as the agency’s most sweeping use of travel restrictions against U.S. citizens.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard has said she was put on TSA’s “Quiet Skies” watchlist after criticizing then–Vice President Kamala Harris.
