Since the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, the TSA has significantly altered its procedures.
The government organization has shifted its focus from the security protocols it implemented after 9/11, under the leadership of Kristi Noem at the Department of Homeland Security.brought an end to established regulations that travelers had grown used to..
TSAThe company has also updated its tech and ID verification procedures, though these changes haven’t been universally praised by travelers and industry professionals. As the relatively new organization celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’re highlighting some of the.Significant modifications implemented by the Trump Administration affecting travel within the United States..
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With the implementation of REAL ID requirements and the popular elimination of the “shoes-off” mandate, it’s crucial for travelers in the United States to be aware of the latest airport security procedures before flying.
The following outlines significant alterations implemented at the Transportation Security Administration during the Trump Administration.
The Transportation Security Administration started requiring REAL ID.
Though Congress approved the REAL ID Act in 2005, a series of postponements meant it wasn’t implemented until May 7, 2025. This legislation mandates that U.S. travelers possess a REAL ID to fly within the country and enter specific federal buildings.
REAL IDs are driver’s licenses issued by states that adhere to upgraded federal security standards for travel within the U.S. Travelers can also present alternative forms of identification, such as passports, passport cards, military identification, and permanent resident cards.
Trump Administration stripped TSA agents of collective bargaining rights
On March 7, 2025, the DHS announced that it was ending collective bargaining for TSA agents through the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which is a union that transportation security officers voted to join in 2011.
This was a controversial move as collective bargaining allows workers to come together to protect themselves for speaking up on the job to negotiate for better working conditions. At the time a DHS spokesperson backed up the move saying, “Thanks to Secretary Noem’s action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them. The Trump Administration is committed returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies.”
TSA officially ended its ‘shoes-off’ policy
The TSA announced the end to the “shoes-off” policy on July 7, 2025, and many U.S. travelers appreciated and widely celebrated this move. Now travelers are able to keep their shoes on when going through airport security, which allows for a more seamless and efficient process.
TSA uses facial recognition for ID verification
Most travelers flying across the U.S. have probably noticed that TSA has requested a picture of them when going through airport security. According to the TSA, the photos taken as the security checkpoints “are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology.”
The agency uses second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners to verify the identities of travelers.
However, critics of the technology released a report in July finding that travelers have privacy concerns regarding the AI-powered facial scans. Others haven’t seen the signage about the option to opt out of the facial scans or don’t feel comfortable opting out of it.
Passengers without REAL ID will have to pay $45
The most recent change to the TSA is with the announcement that passengers without a REAL ID or other acceptable ID will be required to pay a $45 fee to use the agency’s Confirm.ID system for identity verification.
This policy will be enforced starting on Feb. 1, 2026. The TSA is urging travelers to update their licenses to the REAL ID to avoid this non-refundable fee.
