Donald Trump Removes TSA Chief Pekoske Before Term's End in 2027

President Donald Trump has removed David Pekoske from his position as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), despite Pekoske’s confirmation by President Joe Biden in 2022 for a second five-year term set to run through 2027.

During his tenure, Pekoske oversaw the rollout of slower security screening machines utilizing Analogic technology and the introduction of facial recognition scanners at airports. These initiatives faced criticism for their effectiveness and raised privacy concerns.

One of Pekoske’s notable achievements was implementing a significant salary increase for TSA security officers, aligning their pay with the federal pay scale. This adjustment resulted in salary boosts of up to 40% for some employees, which contributed to improved staff retention.

Pekoske also proposed stricter measures for airlines operating from private terminals, including enhanced liquid restrictions and more rigorous screening for flights departing from Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) terminals. These proposals were met with resistance from the aviation industry.

In his farewell message, Pekoske expressed gratitude to TSA staff, emphasizing the agency’s accomplishments under his leadership, despite ongoing debates about airport security and operational efficiency.