Rep. Abe Hamadeh has disclosed that he was targeted by the Biden administration's now-terminated "Quiet Skies" surveillance program.
The Arizona Republican was among three GOP members of Congress monitored by the Department of Homeland Security initiative, which was shuttered in June amid allegations of political weaponization, according to Fox News. Hamadeh learned of his surveillance status in December 2022, raising questions about the program's targeting criteria.
The revelation comes as congressional Republicans intensify scrutiny of the Biden administration's use of federal surveillance capabilities. DHS terminated the expensive program after acknowledging it failed to prevent any terrorist attacks during its operation.
The "Quiet Skies" program launched in 2010 with the stated purpose of identifying passengers requiring enhanced screening on domestic and international outbound flights. The initiative maintained both a watchlist for surveillance and an exemption list protecting certain individuals from additional screening.
DHS officials decided to end the program in June, citing concerns about over-politicization and its substantial annual operating cost of approximately $200 million. The department acknowledged the program's failure to prevent terrorist attacks while maintaining that other security methods would continue protecting air travel.
The termination followed mounting criticism that the surveillance system had been transformed into a tool for political targeting. Officials indicated the program's original security mission had been compromised by partisan considerations.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul conducted a hearing earlier this week examining alleged abuses of the surveillance program. Paul's investigation revealed that three current Republican members of Congress faced monitoring either while serving in office or during their campaigns.
The Kentucky senator also disclosed that federal air marshals had surveilled former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard during domestic flights last year. Agents reportedly documented details about Gabbard's appearance and electronic device usage during her travels.
Paul's findings suggest the program extended beyond its stated counterterrorism objectives to monitor political figures. The revelations have prompted calls for broader investigations into federal surveillance practices under the previous administration.
Hamadeh's military service as a U.S. Army Reserve intelligence officer with top secret clearance makes his surveillance particularly notable. The congressman found it "peculiar" that authorities would monitor someone with his security background and overseas travel experience.
His intelligence training and clearance status typically would exempt individuals from enhanced screening procedures. The decision to place Hamadeh under surveillance despite these credentials raises questions about the program's selection criteria.
The targeting of a military intelligence professional suggests the program may have prioritized political considerations over traditional security assessments. Hamadeh's case exemplifies concerns that surveillance capabilities were misused for partisan purposes.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has condemned the program's alleged political weaponization under the previous administration. "It is clear that the Quiet Skies program was used as a political rolodex of the Biden Administration — weaponized against its political foes and exploited to benefit their well-heeled friends," Noem stated.
Noem has called for a congressional investigation to examine potential corruption and national security implications. The secretary emphasized the need to uncover how surveillance resources were allegedly exploited for political advantage.
The current administration's criticism of the program signals a shift in federal surveillance policies. Officials are reviewing existing programs to prevent similar abuses of government monitoring capabilities.