Evita Duffy-Alfonso, the daughter of Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, called for the abolition of the Transport Security Administration (TSA) on Thursday (December 19), citing mistreatment and “absurdly invasive surveillance” during airport screening.
“TSA = warrantless, warrantless searches of passengers and their property. That means it violates the Fourth Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional. Please repeal,” she wrote on X, tagging President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Pregnancy, check-ups and body scanners
Duffy-Alfonso shared the details of her experience in another X post: “I almost missed my flight this morning after TSA made me wait 15 minutes to be screened because I’m pregnant and didn’t feel like I’d be exposed to radiation from their body scanner. Agents were passive aggressive, rude and tried to force me and another pregnant woman to just go through the scanner because it’s ‘safe.’ After finally getting that absurdly invasive check-up, I barely flew.”
She went on to criticize the agency, saying, “The ‘golden age of transportation’ cannot begin until the TSA is gone.”
Support for broader security measures
Despite her criticism of the TSA, Duffy-Alfonso emphasized her support for national security measures: “To be clear, I stand 100% behind everything @POTUS & @DHS have done to keep out terrorists & illegals, especially at the border. In fact, President Trump & @Sec_Noem don’t get enough credit for achieving zero illegal border crossing & keeping deranged terrorists out.”
She stressed the need for balance: “However, more common sense is needed in how we treat Americans who exercise their right to travel. And I hope the TSA works to improve their treatment of expectant mothers who do not want to go through body scanners to protect their unborn children. We can do both.”
Legal right to refuse TSA scanning
Duffy-Alfons’s posts highlighted a lesser-known legal option: travelers can opt out of TSA’s body-scanning technology and request alternative screening. TSA confirms that passengers with medical, personal or privacy concerns may request a hand check instead.
TSA guidelines: “A look may include an inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes headgear and sensitive areas such as the breasts, groin, and buttocks. . . . The officer will advise you on a procedure to help you anticipate any actions before you feel them.”
Passengers can also request a private tour, a chair for mobility issues or same-sex officers for rounds if needed.
