The head of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), David Pekoske, stepped down on Monday as the Trump administration ushered in new leadership. Pekoske, who oversaw a workforce of 60,000 employees tasked with ensuring security at U.S. airports and transportation hubs, confirmed his departure in a memo reported by CNN and later verified by Reuters.
In his statement, Pekoske disclosed that the transition team for President Donald Trump had informed him that his tenure as TSA Administrator would conclude at noon Eastern Time on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines). Pekoske, a former vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and an experienced Department of Homeland Security official, had been appointed to the position by Trump in 2017 for a five-year term. He was reconfirmed for a second term in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden.
The transition comes as the TSA faces scrutiny over recent reports. Some Republicans raised concerns about the agency’s temporary placement of former lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard on a flight watch list known as “Quiet Skies.” Gabbard, who has been nominated by Trump to serve as the Director of National Intelligence, has not publicly commented on the matter.
Pekoske is not the only Biden-appointed official to leave office following Trump’s electoral win. Mike Whitaker, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, announced his resignation in December, effective Monday, after serving roughly 15 months in the role.
The departure of key transportation and security officials signals a significant shift in leadership under the new administration. As the Trump administration appoints its own leaders to critical roles, stakeholders across the transportation sector are closely monitoring potential changes in policy and operational priorities.