Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) revealed that the Biden administration conducted surveillance on Tulsi Gabbard, the current Director of National Intelligence, when she was a private citizen. During a recent committee meeting, Paul disclosed that federal air marshals were assigned to monitor Gabbard on domestic flights in 2024, documenting details such as her appearance and the number of electronic devices she used.
Paul expressed his horror at the notion of a former congresswoman being surveilled while traveling, highlighting the implications for civil liberties. He stated that this surveillance occurred under the TSA’s Quiet Skies program, which aims to monitor individuals deemed a potential threat.
In response, Gabbard took to social media to express her concerns about the abuse of power, stating that law enforcement and intelligence resources were weaponized against her and others who oppose the Biden administration’s policies. She emphasized the need to protect First Amendment rights and called for a reassessment of TSA practices to prevent such actions from happening in the future.
Paul also indicated that he believes Gabbard may not be the only victim of such surveillance, urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take action against any employees involved in these abuses and to ensure accountability.
The revelation comes as Gabbard, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in 2024, is supporting Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. Previously, she faced accusations from Democrats of being aligned with Russian interests.
This unfolding situation underscores the ongoing debate regarding government surveillance, individual rights, and the balance of security measures versus personal freedoms. There is a growing call from both Gabbard and Paul to safeguard civil liberties and hold accountable those responsible for potential overreach in intelligence practices.