Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is facing scrutiny after reportedly intervening to have her husband, William Shaheen, removed from a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) surveillance program. Shaheen allegedly contacted TSA Administrator David Pekoske in late 2023, after her husband was flagged under the agency’s controversial “Quiet Skies” watchlist.
William Shaheen, a longtime attorney and Arab-American, was placed on the Quiet Skies list in October 2023. This program allows federal air marshals to monitor travelers without criminal records or known threats, sparking concerns over civil liberties violations. Just two days after the senator’s alleged conversation with TSA leadership, William Shaheen’s name was removed.
Further reports revealed that he was also added to a “secure flight exclusion list,” exempting him from further TSA scrutiny, including random searches. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson has since confirmed his removal from that exclusion list.
The TSA’s Quiet Skies initiative has come under increasing fire, with whistleblowers and lawmakers pointing to its potential misuse. In 2024, former congresswoman and current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was also monitored under the program. Gabbard publicly condemned the surveillance and described the mental toll it inflicted on her and her family.
A spokesperson for Senator Shaheen claimed the senator was unaware of her husband’s surveillance status and denied knowledge of his special exemption. However, questions remain about the timeline and the influence her office may have exercised.
Shaheen, currently serving her third term and not seeking reelection in 2026, has also drawn attention for recent multimillion-dollar property purchases made through trusts tied to her husband. These acquisitions occurred just prior to her retirement announcement.
Critics argue that the senator’s involvement in securing leniency for a family member raises ethical concerns about preferential treatment. The TSA’s lack of transparency and consistency in applying its surveillance criteria continues to spark bipartisan calls for oversight.
