Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) revealed he was among Republican members of Congress subjected to surveillance through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Quiet Skies program under the Biden administration. The Arizona representative credited Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, for exposing what he described as the TSA’s misuse of authority against American citizens.

Hamadeh, a former U.S. Army Reserve Intelligence Officer with Top-Secret clearance and former Maricopa County prosecutor, expressed frustration over being targeted during his service in the military reserves and as a county attorney. “I am disappointed but not surprised that the Biden Administration used TSA’s Quiet Skies rules to target me while I was serving this nation,” Hamadeh stated. He echoed Paul’s characterization of the program as an “unconstitutional dystopian nightmare masquerading as a security tool.”

The congressman highlighted his 2022 election challenge for attorney general, which he claimed coincided with being placed on a government watchlist. “It is clear evidence that this program was used to target critics of Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats,” Hamadeh asserted. He also referenced Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a fellow veteran, as another individual flagged by the initiative.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acknowledged widespread abuses by Biden administration officials, including former TSA Administrator David Pekoske, who allegedly targeted individuals opposing mask mandates or protesting on planes. A report cited by Paul revealed that three Republican lawmakers were matched to TSA’s watch lists after criticizing the administration, while dozens of Americans faced surveillance for exercising their rights.

Hamadeh emphasized his commitment to defending “our Republic” despite allegations from Democrats, stating, “I have done and will continue to do all I can to protect and defend our Republic.” The DHS noted that the Quiet Skies program failed to prevent any terrorist attacks since its inception.