On Tuesday, President Donald Trump initiated swift changes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), dismissing the leaders of both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard ahead of their expected terms and disbanding all members of a significant aviation security advisory panel.
While Trump’s immigration policies have taken center stage within DHS, shifts are evident across the broader agency.
In a memo distributed on Tuesday, members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee were informed that the department has decided to disband all advisory committee memberships. This move aligns with a stated objective of “eliminating the misuse of resources” while ensuring that DHS’s focus remains on prioritizing national security concerns.
Although Congress established the aviation security committee in response to the tragic PanAm 103 bombing in 1988, it will now technically exist without any members to undertake its responsibilities related to airline and airport safety assessments. Previously, the committee boasted representation from critical industry stakeholders, including major airlines, unions, and representatives from organizations related to the PanAm tragedy, with many of its recommendations being implemented over time.
The precise number of other committees impacted by Tuesday’s action remains unclear, along with whether similar steps will be taken in different departments. The Federal Railroad Administration, for instance, has a separate safety advisory committee.
Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband died in the PanAm bombing and who served on the committee, expressed deep concerns about the implications of these decisions, indicating that she had hoped the new administration wouldn’t compromise aviation security.
With clarifications on the future of the committee pending, DHS officials did not respond to inquiries about the recent changes. The termination memo suggested that future committee actions might center on “advancing our critical mission to protect the homeland,” yet without any committee members to execute that mission, uncertainties prevail.
Adding to Bernstein’s unease was the recent dismissal of TSA Administrator David Pekoske, who had initially been appointed by Trump during his first term. Pekoske had been serving in what was expected to be his second five-year term after reappointment by President Biden and confirmation by the Senate. The rationale for his termination was not disclosed.
In a separate announcement regarding the revival of a policy known as “Remain in Mexico,” DHS emphasized Pekoske’s previous attempts to end the program while he was acting secretary at the beginning of Biden’s tenure, prior to Alejandro Mayorkas’s confirmation.
Pekoske described his role in a note to his staff as the “honor of a lifetime,” having overseen a significant increase in facial recognition technology at airports, which raised privacy concerns, as well as salary boosts for TSA officers aimed at improving hiring and retention metrics.
However, the recent discovery of stowaways on flights and within aircraft wheel wells has reignited discussions surrounding the effectiveness of aviation security measures.
The abrupt dismissal of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead the Coast Guard, shocked many, especially among Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a prominent figure on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recognized Fagan’s dedication to addressing long-standing issues of sexual misconduct within the Coast Guard.
During a Tuesday CNN interview, Cantwell called Fagan’s termination “appalling,” reflecting the view that she had worked diligently to rectify the Coast Guard’s past failures in addressing sexual assault cases. In 2023, the Coast Guard formally acknowledged its negligence regarding previous handling of such cases and failed to disclose an extensive internal investigation spanning several years.
Despite some bipartisan criticism against Fagan for not cooperating fully with Congressional inquiries on abuse issues, she maintained a stance of commitment towards transparency and accountability amid ongoing investigations.
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), whose district encompasses the Coast Guard Academy, praised Fagan for implementing significant improvements in the organization’s leadership and addressing long-standing issues of sexual misconduct.
He criticized Trump’s decision to terminate a service chief prematurely as an overreach of power that tarnishes Fagan’s reputation and achievements. Courtney highlighted Fagan’s leadership successes, including exceeding recruitment goals and significant achievements in addressing illegal drug trafficking and enhancing Arctic operations.
Besides these firings, Trump is also set to appoint a new administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a move often customary with new presidential administrations, following criticisms of the agency’s handling of natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires last fall.
