A few days ago, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would shut down TSA PreCheck and Global Entry effective immediately, due to the partial government shutdown. Now, you’ll have to explain to me how making average screening times longer helps address a potential staffing shortage, but that’s neither here nor there.
Hours later, the government partially reversed course, reopening TSA PreCheck, but keeping Global Entry closed. Many of us wondered what on earth was going on that would lead to such an illogical policy in the first place, and then what caused the reversal. We now have a bit more of an understanding of what’s going on…
In this post:
Kristi Noem was the mastermind behind this plan?
When it was revealed that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be shut down, many of us wondered who was actually behind this policy, and what their motive was. Was this actually Trump’s idea, or did someone else come up with the idea? And if someone else did come up with it, did it get Trump’s approval prior to being implemented, or what?
The Washington Post now reports on what reportedly caused this whole mess. According to a White House official and person close to the Trump administration, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and her adviser, Corey Landowski, came up with the idea.
They apparently tried to push this through without consulting top White House officials, only to see the policy reversed hours later, with intervention from senior Trump officials. Reports suggest that Noem was hoping to be a more central figure in this shutdown, kind of like how Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was a pretty big figure in the last one.
Air travel always tends to play a central role during shutdowns, given that it’s one of the areas where lack of government funding can most directly impact the average person. So it seems that Noem felt the best way to insert herself into all of this was to create some arbitrary rules around security that get attention.
Noem has been posting on social media about the shutdown, including interviews with TSA agents, thanking them for their service “as Democrats continue to withhold their paychecks.”
Still, none of this makes any sense… at all!
I understand the concept of wanting attention, and of wanting to create restrictions that make the other party look bad, or something. But I just don’t understand how anyone can argue that shutting down TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is a good solution when you have a staffing shortage.
Okay, it’s great that TSA PreCheck is open once again, but can someone — anyone — explain why Global Entry is still largely closed? There’s zero argument to be made that cutting Global Entry is a solution to a staffing shortage. So I guess I’m relieved that Trump intervened to reopen TSA PreCheck, but why hasn’t the same been done for Global Entry?
I still find the whole narrative to be beyond bizarre, with a DHS spokesperson saying the following:
“We decided to handle TSA PreCheck on an airport-by-airport basis depending on workforce and resource strain instead of a blanket policy. If the government stays shutdown, we will be forced to implement these emergency measures nationwide to mitigate resource and workforce strain. This political game by the Democrats is putting strain on our TSA workers who are working without pay.”
So basically “on an airport-by-airport basis we’ll choose to make screening times longer, with zero logic?”
Interestingly, the only real argument I’ve seen people make in support of this is “well blame the Democrats, because this puts pressure on them, and they’re responsible for the shutdown.” Again, that doesn’t explain the reason for this policy, which adds friction, rather than taking it away. Explain to me how this policy makes more sense than requiring all Post Office patrons to do 20 jumping jacks before entering, while blaming the shutdown?
Bottom line
Reports suggest that Kristi Noem was the mastermind of the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry suspensions, and there was a lack of consultation with other White House officials, based on how quickly the policy was reversed. While it’s good that the TSA PreCheck suspension has been reversed, there continues to be zero logic for shutting down Global Entry, yet that policy is still in place.
What do you make of this explanation for the TSA PreCheck shutdown and reversal?
Ben -- Noem is out. Markwayne Mullin is in. Markwayne, reopen GE!
Oh god we don't care.
Consider the staffing. Global Entry and PreCheck require fewer staff than other aspects of the TSA.
Political posting, which reflects the biased opinion of the blogger.
Always happens here. This blog used to be primarily about points, miles, credit cards, and reviews. Now what is news related to travel is kind of a stretch. Then they say they do not want political comments or to manage the comments.
Arrived LAX Tuesday evening and Global Entry still shut down. Makes one wonder if indeed Noem and Lewandowdki are behind this, if they share the IQ of a tadpole
Don't mess with President Trump the greatest leader the world has ever seen. Drill baby drill you left wing woke readers.
If she keeps making decisions like this without asking the Mad Orange God-King, she’s gonna get her ass fired quick-smart.
Fellatio Barbie belongs in prison.
@TRAVELINPENIS
What have you got against Monica Lewinsky?!!!
'advisor'
another notable thing: Escorts for VIP's, including Members of Congress, are also suspended.
As a former senior government official, I can assure you that no rational member of the executive branch wants to garner attention during a shutdown. But then Kristi and her boyfriend Corey are not rational.
'you'll have to explain to me how making average screening times longer helps address a potential staffing shortage'
Don't be a smart arse, Schlappig. You KNOW that staff shortages cause longer screening times. Longer screening times in and of themselves are not the 'cure' for staff shortages. They are the result of it. Boy. even when you weakly attempt to sound witty you just come off as annoyingly smug..
What don't you understand? With limited personnel, why would you make things LESS efficient?
@John, staffing shortages don't cause longer screening times. They cause longer wait times. Closing precheck causes longer screening times because it takes longer to screen a person through the standard process than precheck and that then also causes longer wait time. Therefore, closing precheck makes things worse not better.
I could do the math for you if you'd like... but I think it's pretty obvious.
You're the one who sounds smug when you try...
@John, staffing shortages don't cause longer screening times. They cause longer wait times. Closing precheck causes longer screening times because it takes longer to screen a person through the standard process than precheck and that then also causes longer wait time. Therefore, closing precheck makes things worse not better.
I could do the math for you if you'd like... but I think it's pretty obvious.
You're the one who sounds smug when you try to be witty because you're wrong...
Just went through customs at DFW during peak Europe arrival times at 2:30/3pm. The US Citizens line was a 45+ min wait. The line sustained past restroom area the entire time. I could hear people huffing wondering why Global Entry was non operable… funny, but good for them for logging off US news while abroad. I usually get through via GE in <2 mins.
Another slow day in Miami.
Did Tim Dunn provide his approval?
Rent free!
His cunning consultative expertise is limited to those internally (paying massive $$$$). You KNOW we are not part of that select group...
Did fake Eskimo provide his approval?
Trying to make sense of this administration's actions, from Trump to his cabinet secretaries and their aides, is the fool's errand. None of them is qualified for the position that they hold. As for Rubio, he is not Cuban per se. He was born in Miami. His parents fled Cuba three years before Castro ruled Cuba. He uses his position and the US vast resources and power to pursue and expand the US foreign policy...
Trying to make sense of this administration's actions, from Trump to his cabinet secretaries and their aides, is the fool's errand. None of them is qualified for the position that they hold. As for Rubio, he is not Cuban per se. He was born in Miami. His parents fled Cuba three years before Castro ruled Cuba. He uses his position and the US vast resources and power to pursue and expand the US foreign policy of "regime change" of non western governments. Why can't the US government stop waging wars and bombing non-European countries non-stop since WWII when the national deficit is above $37T and climbing and start investing at home and stop "roughing up" the civilians? Never mind, we voted for the "king of debt" and should be prepared for the global trade upheavals and national economic recession. Should we rely on monthly or quarterly federal economic data?
By the way, is she not another case of reversed DEI?
https://theintercept.com/2026/02/23/kristi-noem-ice-cannibal/
globetrotter get some education on how,economic works
I think you need a lesson in spelling and syntax first.
I’m guessing English is your 3rd or 4th language based on the sentence structure of your comment. I wouldn’t advise anyone to get an education when you can’t even comment clearly.
Why can't Ben just call balls and strikes. This is just political theater bullshit and Noem is an idiot. Also, Corey isn't Noem's adviser, he's Noem's mistress.
in the third reich, this phenomenon was known as "working toward the fuhrer"; you were expected to take initiative and act aggressively in a manner that you think the dictator would want, both so that autocratic consolidation happens at a faster pace than it would if everything had to be centrally-directed, and because when something went wrong, the dictator could disclaim responsibility and string you out to dry.
This.
I just came through LAX last night, and GE was closed, but everything was still extremely fast. I think the staff on the ground were being clever, and pretty much everybody was waved through after a picture and facial recognition at the kiosk. I’m not sure if this is standard now for non-GE, but it sure functioned like “GE for everybody”
That's how it should ALWAYS be for travellers who arrive with a US passport, a current ESTA, or a valid US visa. The ridiculous twenty-questions charade that arrivals usually have to endure contributes nothing to national security.
It’s literally on the Democrats. The funding is right there in the bill to fund these services. But I guess granting illegals rights to American taxpayer paid medical care and benefits is more important.
Just can’t make this up.
Quite a partisan view you have their Dave.
@Dave, no you can AND you absolutely did made $hit up. Even though this'll be a futile attempt, sometimes, I can't help my self.
Here's what the democrats are primarily asking for - bans on face masks by ICE agents, every agent must wear body cameras, agents must carry identification, and judicial warrants to enter private properties and homes and few others. Would you mind articulating why each of these 4 requests are wrong?
Now,...
@Dave, no you can AND you absolutely did made $hit up. Even though this'll be a futile attempt, sometimes, I can't help my self.
Here's what the democrats are primarily asking for - bans on face masks by ICE agents, every agent must wear body cameras, agents must carry identification, and judicial warrants to enter private properties and homes and few others. Would you mind articulating why each of these 4 requests are wrong?
Now, would you please educate me with a credible source that says democrats want to give illegals rights to medical care and benefits paid for by tax payers?
@Dave, you absolutely can and you just did. Even though, this'll be a futile attempt, I just can't stop myself.
Here's what dems are primarily asking for - more accountability from ICE agents like ban on masks, mandatory body cameras, must carry ids, can't enter private property/home without a judicial warrant. Then no immigration enforcement near schools, churches, hospitals, courthouses etc and ban on roving patrols. Now, which of these would be an issue for...
@Dave, you absolutely can and you just did. Even though, this'll be a futile attempt, I just can't stop myself.
Here's what dems are primarily asking for - more accountability from ICE agents like ban on masks, mandatory body cameras, must carry ids, can't enter private property/home without a judicial warrant. Then no immigration enforcement near schools, churches, hospitals, courthouses etc and ban on roving patrols. Now, which of these would be an issue for you?
Also, can you please point me to a credible publication that says democrats had this shutdown because they want American taxpayers to pay for medical care and other benefits for illegals?
Typical misinformed liberal response from Ole.
Typical bootlicking fascist response from Dave.
Typical non-response from a MAGAT when proven wrong.
And angain the old lie, yes I say lie anbout the Dems asking for healthcare for illiegal immecrants wmhich ethey do not ask for.
But kittens are getting eaten by illegal Do you agree on illegal immigrants as al you posts make a perfect scarecrow
@Dave, should I still hope to get your response with article/yt video or this is the best comeback you have for me?
Also, would love to find out why you think, ICE agents should be able to enter people's private property without a judicial warrant?
@Dave you are wrong. @Ole is 100% correct about what the democrats are asking. They want to curtail ICE's overreach. I'm sure that you think that ICE will never hurt you. Well, so did the nice white middle class americans that they shot in the streets. Read some mainstream media -- the Post - owned by dump lackey Bezos has reported exactly what @Ole told you. So has the NY Times and the very conservative...
@Dave you are wrong. @Ole is 100% correct about what the democrats are asking. They want to curtail ICE's overreach. I'm sure that you think that ICE will never hurt you. Well, so did the nice white middle class americans that they shot in the streets. Read some mainstream media -- the Post - owned by dump lackey Bezos has reported exactly what @Ole told you. So has the NY Times and the very conservative Wall Street Journal. ICE is out of control and threatening law abiding legal immigrants and citizens as well as mistreating those who are not documented.
Maybe if that crazy broad had complied and wasn’t out blocking traffic and then tried to run over a law enforcement officer she would still be alive today.
As for other whack job, there is video evidence of that looney liberal destroying government property that very same week. And let’s not forget that OH! He pulled a gun!
Try again.
@Dave Stafford
Remind me, is the penalty for destroying government property, or legally carrying a firearm (that was taken from Pretti, and was never drawn) death? Do you want to go down this road? The pendulum is going to swing back. Do you want government agents personally loyal to a Democratic president going into your town, going door to door, looking for an excuse to arrest or shoot you? If your answer is "no",...
@Dave Stafford
Remind me, is the penalty for destroying government property, or legally carrying a firearm (that was taken from Pretti, and was never drawn) death? Do you want to go down this road? The pendulum is going to swing back. Do you want government agents personally loyal to a Democratic president going into your town, going door to door, looking for an excuse to arrest or shoot you? If your answer is "no", then get mad when "your team" does it too. History should tell you that that kind of authoritarian behavior starts turning on its supporters real quick.
Trolls, the most significant product of Fox "News." The so-called Fox journalists get rich, and you get your prejudices confirmed by lies. What a sad nation we've become....
Give an example of a country where the minority party is tasked with building a coalition? That is the ruling party's responsibility. The Democrats are not obligated to get onboard Trump's agenda.
Hope you're not going to wank yourself unconscious tonight, Dave. Mango Mussolini said it'll be a long speech, so pace yourself.
I'm reporting you to ICE.
Dave - you are so incredibly stupid!! Arkansas or the hillbilly hills of Tennessee - which one??
Most people understand "TSA" means security - even Trump. But "Global Entry" sounds like letting everyone in, going soft on immigration. For the travel illiterate, there likely seems a wide gap between the two.
True. Never underestimate just how stupid Joe Public really is.
We need to blame the people who voted for this stupidity. Like the dumbest cabinet in the history of America appointed by an his administration. Luckily they got 2 guys who kind of know what they are doing in Rubio/Bessent … but my god the rest of these guys are….
These are paid program not entitlements - they should not be subject to a shut down at all
SENTRI still works. No issues at the San Ysidro border last night.
the whole world is laughing on the us. patel, noem, trump, kennedy are all such a disgrace
If the 737MAX is rockin, don't come a knockin'.
Clearly
Under
Negative
Thinking
Sycophants do things that make their boss happy. They also, willingly or not, take the blame when things go wrong.
This what happens when you put people in charge who are dumb as a box of hammers, and are instead focused on social media content and being as vengeful and spiteful as humanly possible. I miss the days of competent people running our government.
She's never impressed me. Too much makeup and not much substance.
Ive got GE but MPC is faster at my home airport and thats what i used the last few trips. Im just glad 95% of the public and honestly most global entry folks dont know about it.
She needs to reopen Global Entry now.
Kristi Noem will eventually be forced to step down in order to spend more time with her dogs.
Spend time with the dogs before she shoots them.
Her photo ops of her holding guns shows she may not actually know how to properly handle a firearm. Leading some to speculate that she had someone else shoot the dogs for her. So it's not only sad, but it's pathetic.
and Corey
There's a high correlation between passport ownership and voting Democratic. I can't find any demographic data on Global Entry membership, but I imagine it skews Democratic as well. So I put this in the same column as pulling back infrastructure spending from blue states.
Also high correlation between MAGA and the incel community
Anyone want to predict which airports are going to "randomly" see service reduced? I'm thinking SFO, LAX, JFK, MSP, BOS, DTW, SEA, ORD.
I bet MIA, MCO, DFW, SLC won't be touched.
Yeah, let's cut off funding for our most productive cities. You know, the ones that generate actual economic growth and tax payments.
I can guess what airport-by-airport means. JFK, BOS, ORD, SFO, LAX, SEA: Closed. MIA, MCO, ATL, IAH, DFW: Open
You are proven right. SEA closed.
If GE is still shut down when I need it, can they get me a partial refund of the fee during the time it's not in effect?
Sure. Report back on how that works for you.
You'll get the refund after:
- illegal tariff refunds
- Doge checks
- Another trump stimulus check
Good luck.
Man are you a political neophyte or what? Blaming an already unpopular member of the administration the White House wants to get rid of whole shielding the boss is an old game. And even a naive person should be able to understand to take anything THIS White House says with a very large graib of salt
Freudian typo on that paragraph header.
Kristi Noem and mastermind? No I fear that defies logic.
Please note that per the WSJ, Corey is not her advisor, he's her lover. They are both married to others.
So in addition to being incompetent she’s an adulteress?
Must be their shared family values.
The bus was approaching and someone urgently needed to be thrown under it
I'm never going to listen to the "government can't do anything right" crew, bunch of wreckers and incompetents that they are.
Not sure if "Good Tsar bad boyar"-washing or DHS Barbie trying to own the libs to stay relevant to her boss. Either one is bad.
I am returning to the country tomorrow through Miami and I hope GE will be open, but I know it probably won’t be. I’ve downloaded that MPC app so I can get through quicker but the timing sucks. And I think using government employee paychecks as bargaining chips is as about as low as either party can go. If you can’t pay any government employees than you should forfeit your salary as a lawmaker. I...
I am returning to the country tomorrow through Miami and I hope GE will be open, but I know it probably won’t be. I’ve downloaded that MPC app so I can get through quicker but the timing sucks. And I think using government employee paychecks as bargaining chips is as about as low as either party can go. If you can’t pay any government employees than you should forfeit your salary as a lawmaker. I don’t car which party. Figure it out and leave the employees and American public out of your squabbles.
Tried the same thing arriving back int'l at CLT on Sunday, but in addition to the GE machines all having big red X's on their screen and being roped off staff was informing everyone they weren't doing MPC either.
Luckily regular line was flying and we were through in 3-5 mins. Anecdotal experience but feel like we got lucky.
This isn't a government that is operating in good faith, or to serve the public, and it's really not any more complicated than that.
She should go back to shooting dogs in the face. At least she was mildly effective at that albeit equally unpopular and horrific