Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has revealed the “exciting news” that travellers will no longer be required to remove their shoes when going through security points at airports thanks to a new policy implemented by the TSA. This change comes after fears of terrorist sleeper cells in the U.S. were re-ignited by the conflict in Iran.
While the news may be welcomed by frequent travellers who may complain about the inconvenience, the move has been labeled “unsafe” by many.
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) July 8, 2025
MAJOR BREAKING: Kristi Noem just announced that TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through security checkpoints.
This comes days after the FBI warned about terror sleeper cells in the USA.
I never felt more unsafe than under this Admin. pic.twitter.com/ObVcd0oOXc
On X Noem’s announcement was criticized due to the poor timing given the ongoing situation in Iran.
What did Kristi Noem change?
Speaking to reporters Noem announced the “no shoes policy” meaning “TSA will no longer require travellers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoints.” In a press release the claim was that this would lead to “a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”
In an attempt to reassure travellers the release also stated that “cutting-edge technological advancements” allowed the TSA to maintain “the highest security standards.” But people online were doubtful. On X one person asked, “Do they have technology that can reliably detect potential hazards in shoes while they’re on the feet?” Another person added, “Why eliminate a security measure that has proven to be effective[?]”
But some were doubtful that the policy requiring passengers to remove shoes was even effective in preventing attacks, one individual tried asking Grok “how many bombs have been detected at TSA checkpoints in airports?” Although they didn’t get a response.
This comes during a particularly tense time
Noem’s decision to remove this very important requirement when going through security comes at a point when we should likely be thinking about implementing more security measures, not less. The U.S.-Iran conflict which has heated up in the past couple of weeks has led to increased fears of potential terrorist attacks on American soil.
According to an article from The Guardian, security agencies have warned of the looming threat posed by known Tehran-backed “sleeper cells” that are in the country already. These individuals could enact retaliatory attacks in the U.S. and if security is being relaxed in airports by airheads like Kristi Noem then it makes it that much easier for terrorist attacks on planes.
Of course, nobody’s saying this is going to happen. According to Colin Clarke, the director of research at the Soufan Center “the threat of sleeper cells in the United States is real,” however, “now that there’s a ceasefire in place, Iran is unlikely to want its fingerprints on any traceable attack planning.” That doesn’t mean these cells won’t act on their own volition.
Either way it seems incredibly foolish that Noem’s department should issue a heightened threat bulletin and then, a little over two weeks later, announce that security measures put in place to counter such measures are being stripped back. Is the convenience of not having to remove our shoes at airport security anymore really worth the risk during such a risky time in America?
