Dont ComplyAccording to Government Executive, the Department of Homeland Security inspector general found that the Transportation Security Administration is not ensuring airport workers are cleared for their jobs. Between fiscal 2022 and 2024, some workers received badges before TSA completed threat assessments that ended in a "Do Not Issue" notice, and one worker kept an active badge for 177 days before revocation. The report said some workers with inaccurate Social Security numbers were granted access to a restricted airport area, and some workers required to be in the FBI's Rap Back program were not enrolled. Auditors found TSA counseled one operator, required corrective plans from two and issued four warnings to three more, while 19 violations across 14 operators drew no penalties. TSA agreed to all four recommendations and said it would improve its penalty process and enroll required workers in Rap Back by the end of 2026.
Why it matters
The report says screening lapses let workers keep airport badges, including access to sensitive areas, despite disqualifying notices. It also found many violations by airport operators drew no penalties.
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