The daughter of United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has launched a scathing public critique of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), labelling it "unconstitutional" after what she described as an "absurdly invasive" security screening at an airport.
An 'Invasive' Security Ordeal
Evita Duffy-Alfonso took to the social media platform X on Thursday, 19 December 2025, to detail her experience. She explained that she opted out of a full-body scanner at a security checkpoint due to pregnancy and concerns over radiation exposure. This triggered the requirement for an alternative pat-down search.
She reported waiting 15 minutes for a female agent to become available, an delay that nearly caused her to miss her flight. Duffy-Alfonso further alleged that TSA staff were "rude" and attempted to pressure her into using the scanner against her wishes. The subsequent physical search, she claimed, was excessively intrusive.
Political Repercussions and Agency Response
In her posts, Duffy-Alfonso directly tied the incident to her father's political role. She suggested that if the TSA fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, Secretary Duffy would "radically limit" the agency or even "lobby Congress to abolish" it.
She referenced her father's broader "golden age of travel" initiative, which aims to make air travel more family-friendly and has included encouraging formal attire. "The 'golden age of transportation' cannot begin until the TSA is gone," she wrote.
The TSA issued a formal statement on Friday, 20 December 2025, confirming it was aware of the complaint. "TSA takes complaints about airport security screening procedures seriously and investigates complaints thoroughly to ensure the correct procedures are applied," the agency said.
Clarifications and Established Protocol
In a follow-up post, Duffy-Alfonso clarified her position, expressing support for President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security, under which the TSA operates. However, she argued for "more common sense around how we treat Americans exercising their right to travel."
The TSA's established protocols state that passengers can request a private screening as an alternative to the body scanner. The agency's guidelines note that "sufficient pressure must be applied" during a pat-down to ensure detection of any prohibited items concealed under clothing.
The US Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Duffy, declined to comment on his daughter's specific complaints. It is important to note that while the DOT oversees aviation safety via the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the TSA is a distinct entity within the Department of Homeland Security, created in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.
