Public Law 107-71

Can The TSA Use Air Marshals In VIPR Teams? Not Really

As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to expand the deployment of its Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Teams, it is also increasingly mentioning Federal Air Marshals (FAM) as part of the agency’s ground based, non-airport focused, and security operation.   Looking past the legally questionable aspects of the TSA’s deployment of VIPR Teams,…

The Legality Of The TSA’s ‘Enhanced Pat Down’ Authority

Since the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) implemented its  ‘enhanced pat down’ screening procedures in late 2010 the legality of the agency’s authority to execute enhanced pat downs has been consistently called into question.   While the TSA has the legal authority to carry out administrative searches without probable cause, as I wrote about in November…

TSA Administrator Leaves Upper Echelons In Dark About Private Security Decision

A week ago Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole made a bold public statement regarding his decision to not review further airport applications to participate in the Screening Partnership Program, a decision that is a potential conflict with an Act of Congress. As of today it appears that a number of the TSA’s upper…

Is TSA Administrator Pistole Ignoring An Act Of Congress?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has frequently found itself pushing the boundaries of its original mission and facing criticism for its actions. A few days ago however the TSA pushed a new boundary … that of publicly stating it was ignoring an Act of Congress. To make matters more complex, TSA Administrator John Pistole is…