- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested privatizing airport security, questioning the effectiveness of the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) over the past 25 years.
- DeSantis proposed returning to a pre-9/11 model where private firms handle airport security, arguing it could prevent travel delays caused by government shutdowns.
- His comments followed a lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding, which led to TSA agents working without pay, causing staffing shortages and flight delays at major airports.
- While some smaller U.S. airports already utilize private security through the TSA's Screening Partnership Program, critics, including the American Federation of Government Employees, warn that privatization could compromise safety due to profit-driven contracts.
- Government Accountability Office reports have highlighted areas for TSA improvement, such as ensuring proper scanning of dangerous items and addressing cybersecurity threats, though TSA reported preventing over 6,700 firearms in 2023.
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