Despite Being Asked to Remain, TSA Administrator Leaves Post After Inauguration
Joe Cortez January 20, 2017
Retired Coast Guard Admiral decides to leave post despite request from transition team.
Former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator Peter Neffenger will not stay in his post, despite reports he was asked to remain in charge of the agency tasked with keeping the skies safe. Two different reports suggest Neffenger opted to leave the TSA, despite praise from lawmakers and requests from transition team officials.
The terms by which the retired Coast Guard admiral decided to leave were conflicting. Politico reports that the former Administrator made the decision to leave without speaking to transition team officials and despite receiving praise from legislators on Capitol Hill. The Daily Beast reports that the presidential transition team reached out to ask him to stay in his office, but Neffenger declined.
The former administrator took the office 18 months ago, during a time of derision for the TSA. Prior to Neffenger’s appointment, the TSA was accused of failing to maintain screening equipment at airports, while screeners reportedly failed 95 percent of undercover weapon smuggling tests across the nation. Furthermore, the prior administration also stood accused of approving veiled bonuses despite the displayed failures.
Under Neffenger’s watch, the TSA increased their hiring in order to answer to the growing complaints of long security checkpoint lines from airports and airlines. In addition, the administrator was a central figure in standardizing training for all new TSA hires at the National Law Enforcement Training Centers in Georgia. However, the TSA also faced certain gaffes as well, including whistleblowers testifying that the agency’s culture was similar to the book Lord of the Flies.
Although the TSA administrator’s office may be vacant today, it may not stay that way for long. USA Today reports that Homeland Security secretary nominee, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, will be confirmed by the Senate after an agreement with Democrats to fast-track his approval.
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The reports you refer to suggesting that Neffinger was asked to remain are simply not accurate. You really ought to be more careful in trusting what TSA tells you.