Secret Watch List Allegation After Critique on Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard claims the U.S. government placed her on a secret terror watchlist after critiquing Kamala Harris, igniting a debate on political retaliation and state power misuse.

At a Glance

Tulsi Gabbard claims the US government has placed her on a “secret terror watchlist.”
Gabbard alleges the Biden administration targeted her as a “potential domestic terror threat” for political reasons.
Gabbard and her husband, Abraham Williams, have faced “additional TSA screening” multiple times.
Hawaii lawmakers are demanding an explanation from the TSA for Gabbard’s inclusion on the watchlist.

Gabbard’s Shocking Revelation

Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, known for her independence and straightforwardness, has disclosed that the U.S. government placed her on a secret terror watchlist. Gabbard shared this shocking information in a video posted online and during news interviews. The placement, according to her, followed her public criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris, raising questions about the ethical limits in political rivalries and free speech protection.

Gabbard, who has recently aligned with former President Donald Trump, expressed concern over this development, suggesting that it was politically motivated. “My own government has placed me on a secret terror watchlist,” Gabbard stated unequivocally. This assertion has not only drawn significant media attention but also triggered a broad discussion about the use of governmental powers to target political adversaries.

Impacts and Evidence

Gabbard elaborated on her ordeal, recounting multiple occasions of excessive scrutiny by TSA agents at airports, alongside her husband, Abraham Williams. “Every time this happened, we were told by the TSA agent there that ‘this is just a random selection.’ That might have been believable if it had happened just once or twice. But five? six, seven, eight times in a row? There’s no way,” she revealed. Federal Air Marshall whistleblowers confirmed that Gabbard was added to the “Quiet Skies” watchlist on July 23, a program noted for its intrusive surveillance methods.

“Every time this happened, we were told by the TSA agent there that ‘this is just a random selection.’ That might have been believable if it had happened just once or twice. But five? six, seven, eight times in a row? There’s no way,” she went on, adding that “on August 4, Federal Air Marshall whistleblowers came forward with very disturbing information.”

Further adding to her distress, Gabbard noted that at least three air marshals were assigned to monitor her during travels. She described these actions as extreme and unnecessary, questioning what kind of threat she could possibly pose that warranted such measures. She also voiced her broader concerns about government surveillance affecting regular citizens.

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard claimed that the government put her on a "secret terror watchlist." Here's what we found: https://t.co/kGkuEvfdIO pic.twitter.com/2AGiftwn6N

— snopes.com (@snopes) September 9, 2024

Political Responses and Governmental Actions

Lawmakers from Hawaii have demanded transparency and accountability from the TSA regarding Gabbard’s watchlist inclusion. Representatives Gene Ward, Diamond Garcia, David Alcos, and Elijah Pierick have sent a joint letter to TSA Director David Pekoske, urging him to clarify the rationale behind Gabbard’s placement on the Quiet Skies Program. The representatives condemned the TSA’s actions, accusing them of maligning Gabbard’s reputation without just cause and potentially violating her rights.

“Sir, please remember this is the United States of America and you have not even stated why such a dastardly label has been attached to and besmirched her good name,” the group wrote, in part, in a letter to Pekoske. “As members of the Hawaii State House of Representatives listed below, we strongly urge you to immediately withdraw her name from the Quiet Skies program and/or provide full public transparency of the TSA’s reasons for maligning her name and reputation.”

In response, the TSA issued a statement explaining that the Quiet Skies program is a risk-based initiative aimed at enhancing aviation security. They neither confirmed nor denied Gabbard’s status on the list. Established in 2012, the program has been controversial, with a 2020 Department of Homeland Security inspector general report criticizing its lack of oversight and potential for misuse.

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Gabbard described her ongoing fear and anxiety, not just for her safety, but for the broader implications on American freedoms and civil liberties. As this story continues to unfold, it raises significant questions about the balance of maintaining national security and preserving individual rights, especially free speech.