Trump Administration to Privatize TSA at Three Airports

Thursday, July 23, 2026

The Transportation Security Administration notified AFGE on Monday that the agency intends to launch a new privatization program called TSA Gold+ at three airports next year: Tampa, Fla.; Charleston, S.C.; and Des Moines, Iowa.

Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 10:30 PM | 5 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Tampa International Airport will privatize most TSA operations, just months after President Donald Trump unveiled a 2027 budget proposal that called for handing more airport security over to private companies.

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-- CNN (@cnn.com) 1:28 AM Â· Jul 21, 2026

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"The new program would put private contractors in control not only of security screening but the screening technology itself " machines that detect guns, explosives, and other prohibited items. While TSA staff would provide oversight, they would no longer directly screen passengers or carry-on items at those airports."

~snip~

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-23 03:56 AM | Reply

For "privatization" read "grift" and/or "graft." Trump (as the MAGAts' owner) and his coconspirators (as their immediate manipulator-masters) do loooove them some of that privatization. As a money generator it's easier than armed robbery and you'll get the thanks of a grifted, grafted, exhausted, poorer nation - straight from the horse's-a##-in-chief himself if the kickback's heavy enough. Pardon?

#2 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-23 06:32 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

A government employee union publication complains about "privatization" i.e. a dues payor may loose a job. Color me surprised. Here's the article's description of what's up:

It's also not the only attempt by TSA to expand the privatization of airport security. The administration's fiscal 2027 budget proposes to eliminate 8,400 TSO positions " roughly 14% of TSA's screening workforce. About 4,500 of those positions would be replaced by private contractors through a proposed mandatory expansion of the Screening Partnership Program to include all small and non-hub airports, known as Categories III and IV, respectively. Currently about 20 of the nation's 440 commercial airports have opted to use private screening, but the administration's proposal would expand that number more than tenfold to about 220 airports. (emphasis added)

If the local entities control the privatization then I ain't got a problem. If it's the Buffoon then oh hell no.

#3 | Posted by et_al at 2026-07-23 08:29 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Cheaper usually means worse...and private law enforcement is a dangerous entity.

#4 | Posted by Hughmass at 2026-07-24 06:33 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Don't worry ladies, those folks putting their mitts on your bodies at the screening stations have been screened and trained to the highest standards for people paid $11/hour. Dangerous people of all stripes now know where to board planes for their adventures in hijacking and bringing jihad to the Great Satan, on our home shore. This will end badly, and probably sooner than later.

IN THE MEANTIME, RELEASE THE TRUMP-EPSTEIN FILES...

#5 | Posted by catdog at 2026-07-24 08:26 AM | Reply