TSA Chief Discusses Air Marshal Role In Border Security On TV Show

TSA Administrator David Pekoske defends air marshal deployment to border, claims no impact on flight safety.

At a Glance

TSA has been sending air marshals to support border security since 2019
200 air marshals deployed to border every 21 days, raising concerns about flight safety
Pekoske claims deployments don’t compromise air security, marshals can be recalled if needed
Critics argue both border and airline passenger safety are at risk
TSA spent $45 million on border deployments from May 2019 to August 2023

TSA Administrator Addresses Concerns

TSA Administrator David Pekoske has publicly addressed the controversial practice of deploying air marshals to the southern border. Speaking on CBS Mornings, Pekoske reassured the public that this deployment does not compromise air travel safety. He emphasized that marshals are only redirected to the border during periods of availability and can be promptly recalled to air security tasks when necessary.

The practice, which began in 2019, involves sending approximately 200 air marshals to the border on 21-day rotations. Pekoske stated that these deployments are carried out in partnership with Customs and Border Protection and are triggered by certain thresholds of individuals crossing the border.

Criticism and Safety Concerns

Despite Pekoske’s assurances, the redeployment of air marshals has faced significant criticism. The Air Marshal National Council (AMNC) argues that this practice leaves flights unprotected and puts both border and airline passenger safety at risk. Critics point to recent incidents on flights where the absence of air marshals may have compromised passenger safety.

“Because we had deployed air marshals to the border, there was no air marshals on that flight,” said Sonya LaBosco, herself a retired supervisory federal air marshal who speaks on behalf of the Air Marshal National Council.

In one incident, passengers on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston had to subdue a man attempting to stab a flight attendant. The AMNC claimed this could have been prevented if air marshals were present on the flight. The absence of air marshals on long-haul flights has raised particular concern, given their historical significance in preventing terrorist attacks.

Border Duties and Cost

At the border, air marshals have been tasked with various non-law enforcement duties, including distributing water and food, and performing perimeter checks. This has led to criticism that their specialized skills are being underutilized. The redeployments have come at a significant cost, with the TSA spending $45 million on air marshal deployments to the border from May 2019 to August 2023.

A federal watchdog report has criticized the TSA for not adequately assessing the impact of these deployments on transportation security. The report noted that no clear targets or goals have been set to measure the success of this initiative.

TSA’s Response and Future Plans

In response to these concerns, Pekoske maintains that the TSA can recall air marshals immediately if needed for air security. He emphasized that the decision to deploy air marshals is contingent on the TSA’s capacity to do so without compromising air security. However, Pekoske also mentioned that the TSA lacks sufficient investment, raising questions about the agency’s ability to effectively manage both air and border security simultaneously.

As the debate continues, Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to return air marshals to flights, citing increased passenger aggression and security incidents. The ongoing situation highlights the complex balance between addressing border security concerns and maintaining robust air travel safety measures.