Trump administration pushes broader use of private screeners at U.S. airports
The Trump administration is urging the Transportation Security Administration to expand private-contract screening at more airports, adding to the 20 already participating in the Screening Partnership Program.
President Donald Trump is directing the Transportation Security Administration to broaden the role of private security contractors at more U.S. airports, extending a partnership model that started in 2004. Currently, twenty airports—including eight in Montana, regional sites served by Cape Air, and the busy San Francisco International Airport—operate under the Screening Partnership Program with TSA oversight. The contrast between private and federal screening became stark during the 2025 and 2026 shutdowns, when missed paychecks left TSA staff shortages and caused hour-long waits at airports such as Houston Hobby and Atlanta, while travelers at San Francisco waited only minutes.
After scrapping the contested TSA Gold+ program, the agency unveiled Horizon 25, a strategy named for the TSA’s 25th anniversary, aimed at accelerating public-private collaborations, modernizing checkpoints, and expanding TSA PreCheck. Opponents contend that competition among private firms could compromise aviation safety and worsen working conditions, whereas White House officials claim the shift will save taxpayer money. The administration’s push signals a continued effort to privatize airport security across the nation.
Why it matters
Expanding private screening could reshape airport security, affect traveler wait times, and influence labor and safety standards.
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