On December 15th, TSA agents at LAX intercepted a passenger attempting to board a flight to Philadelphia with a carry-on bag containing 82 fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms, and pepper spray. The discovery prompted LAX TSA Federal Security Director Jason Pantages to express serious concern over the sheer volume of prohibited items. Pantages emphasized the importance of travelers thoroughly checking their bags before arriving at the airport, especially during the busy holiday travel season. The passenger’s ultimate disposition following the discovery remains unclear.
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Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the intelligence community, was briefly added to the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program, triggering additional security screenings due to her international travel and foreign contacts. Gabbard’s subsequent public statements led to her quick removal from the list, despite assertions that her criticism of Kamala Harris was the cause. Security officials note that her past overseas engagements, including a controversial Syria trip, are unusual and raise concerns given the lax standards of the Quiet Skies program. Trump’s potential bypassing of standard background checks for his nominees further complicates the situation, leaving questions about the vetting process for such a sensitive position.
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John Q. Hosedrinker