Shocking details emerge about government surveillance on Tulsi Gabbard after criticizing Harris
Could a prominent political figure truly be targeted by government surveillance simply for speaking out?
New information suggests disturbing possibilities regarding the use of federal programs.
Revelations in a Senate Hearing
Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as Director of National Intelligence, recently brought serious allegations to light.
Speaking after details emerged during a Senate hearing, Gabbard claimed she was placed under government surveillance through a controversial program.
She asserted this action was “politically motivated.”
What is “Quiet Skies”?
The surveillance reportedly occurred under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) “Quiet Skies” program.
Established in 2010, this program is designed to identify potential risks among air travelers.
It uses aggregated data and intelligence for enhanced screening on certain domestic and international flights.
TSA has stated it’s a risk-based, automated system leveraging U.S. government intelligence.
They maintain it is not a terrorist watchlist.
Program Under Scrutiny
However, “Quiet Skies” has faced significant criticism.
Concerns have been raised about its transparency and potential violations of civil liberties.
Past reports have highlighted a lack of clear oversight and how individuals end up flagged.
During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Senator Rand Paul confirmed receiving records about Gabbard’s placement on the list from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
These records reportedly detailed federal air marshals surveilling Gabbard on domestic flights in 2024.
The surveillance included reports on her appearance and the number of electronic devices she used.
Gabbard’s Strong Reaction
Speaking with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Gabbard didn’t hold back.
I think they were trying to intimidate me, but also, they were trying to really create this chilling effect, probably knowing that I wouldn’t stay silent about it and send a message out to people that if you go and criticize then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now going to be the Democratic nominee for president, you too, would face the consequences.
She believes her placement on the list occurred after a specific interview.
In that interview with “The Ingraham Angle” on July 22, she had criticized then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s leadership abilities.
This timing came shortly after former President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the 2024 race and endorsed Harris.
Questioning the Program’s Effectiveness
Gabbard also questioned the overall value of the “Quiet Skies” program.
She stated that despite its operation, “not a single terrorist has been caught” by the program.
Instead, she argued, federal air marshals are tasked daily with surveilling “everyday Americans for no purpose.”
When asked if the program should continue to exist, her answer was a definitive “No.”
TSA had previously told CNN in November that Gabbard was only briefly on the list before being removed.
They reiterated that the program is not a terrorist watchlist.
However, the details confirmed by Senator Paul about the surveillance actions themselves raise significant questions.
The Stinging Allegation
The core of Gabbard’s concern, and the shocking detail, is the explicit link she draws between her criticism of Kamala Harris and her placement on the “Quiet Skies” surveillance list.
She directly suggested the timing points to a deliberate action intended to silence or intimidate her and potentially send a warning to others.
This allegation of political motivation behind domestic government surveillance is a serious one, sparking debate about potential abuses of power and the chilling effect on free speech.
The revelations from the Senate hearing and Gabbard’s response have put a renewed spotlight on the “Quiet Skies” program and how it is being used.