TSA agents reassigned as "flight security guards" for mass deportations, prompting union cease-and-desist

Listen now | Air Marshals: From Counterterrorism to Deportation Duty | The  unprecedented reassignment of Federal Air Marshals from their primary counterterrorism duties on commercial flights to provide security for ICE deportation flights since June 2025. This controversial move, affecting 10% of the force, has sparked legal challenges from the Air Marshal National Council, which argues it undermines aviation security and illegally subsidizes private contractors like GEO Group. Highlights a surge in deportation flights, ICE's budget shortfalls (leading to potential fund reallocations from other agencies like TSA), and growing public disapproval of these immigration policies. It also points to strained resources within the TSA, safety concerns for marshals on deportation flights, and the broader implications for national security and taxpayer spending. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe