Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s daughter calls TSA ‘unconstitutional’ after pat-down

Transportation Secretary’s Daughter Criticizes TSA After “Invasive” Security Screening

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s daughter sparked controversy Thursday after publicly criticizing what she called an “absurdly invasive” pat-down at an airport security checkpoint, suggesting her father would seek to curtail or eliminate the Transportation Security Administration if it fell under his departmental authority.

Evita Duffy-Alfonso detailed her experience on social media platform X, explaining that she nearly missed her flight after opting out of a body scanner due to concerns about radiation exposure during her pregnancy. According to her account, she waited 15 minutes for a pat-down while TSA agents were “rude” and attempted to pressure her into using the scanner instead.

“All this for an unconstitutional agency that isn’t even good at its job,” she wrote in her post.

The TSA responded Friday with a statement acknowledging awareness of the complaint. “TSA takes complaints about airport security screening procedures seriously and investigates complaints thoroughly to ensure the correct procedures are applied,” the agency said.

In a follow-up message, Duffy-Alfonso claimed her father would “radically limit” or “lobby Congress to abolish” the TSA if it fell within his jurisdiction. This statement highlights a significant administrative distinction in federal governance of transportation security: while Secretary Duffy’s Department of Transportation oversees the Federal Aviation Administration and establishes safety regulations for various transportation modes including air travel, the TSA operates independently under the Department of Homeland Security.

Created after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the TSA handles screening passengers, baggage, and cargo for weapons and explosives as part of the nation’s aviation security framework. The agency has faced persistent criticism over the years regarding its screening methods, effectiveness, and passenger experiences.

“The ‘golden age of transportation’ cannot begin until the TSA is gone,” Duffy-Alfonso added, referencing her father’s broader campaign to improve the travel experience for families. Secretary Duffy has recently promoted what he terms “the golden age of travel,” including controversial suggestions that passengers should dress more formally while flying.

When contacted about the incident, the Transportation Department declined to comment on Duffy-Alfonso’s complaints regarding the TSA.

In subsequent social media posts, Duffy-Alfonso clarified her position, stating that while she supports President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security, “there needs to be more common sense around how we treat Americans exercising their right to travel.”

According to TSA policy guidelines, passengers can request alternative screening methods, including private pat-downs, if they prefer not to use body scanners. However, the agency notes on its website that during pat-downs, “sufficient pressure must be applied in order to ensure detection” because such screenings are “conducted to determine whether prohibited items are concealed under clothing.”

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between security protocols and passenger comfort in American air travel. Since its formation, the TSA has walked a difficult line between implementing rigorous security measures to prevent terrorist threats while managing public expectations for convenience and dignity during the screening process.

The public nature of this complaint from a cabinet secretary’s family member adds a political dimension to longstanding debates about the TSA’s role, effectiveness, and methods. As air travel continues to increase post-pandemic, balancing security requirements with passenger experience remains a significant challenge for both the TSA and transportation policymakers.