In a move greeted by passengers and some conservative voices, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it will begin phasing out the long-standing requirement for travelers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints—a rule put in place nearly two decades ago in response to shoe-bombing attempts.
The change, confirmed by Transportation Security Administration officials and the White House press office, will roll out gradually at select airports in the coming weeks.
The first wave of airports to implement the update includes Baltimore/Washington International, Fort Lauderdale, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Portland, Philadelphia, and Piedmont Triad International.
Department of Homeland Security Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news on social media, describing it as “big news” from DHS.
For many travelers, the shoe-removal requirement has long been a source of frustration, seen as intrusive and cumbersome.
Security experts note that the practice was instituted in 2006 after Richard Reid, infamously known as the “shoe bomber,” attempted to detonate explosives concealed in his footwear during a trans-Atlantic flight.
The rule survived despite improvements in screening technology and the advent of pre-check programs.
For users of TSA PreCheck—a trusted-traveler initiative implemented in recent years—the rule has already been relaxed; members are allowed to keep their shoes, jackets, laptops, and liquids visible during screening.
The new policy will further expand that convenience, extending a similar privilege to a broader traveler base without compromising safety, agency officials noted.
“TSA and DHS are continuously exploring innovative strategies to enhance the traveler experience while maintaining robust security measures,” said a TSA spokesman, adding that further procedural updates will be communicated through official channels.
Some conservative commentators applauded the announcement. Clay Travis, a media personality, welcomed the move, calling the prior requirement “moronic” and suggesting the change could help ease congestion at screening lines.
Yet some security analysts caution that even minor adjustments can have unforeseen consequences. Airports face the task of recalibrating procedures and ensuring that all equipment and staff are prepared for the shift.
DHS officials emphasized that while shoe removal may be optional, other security protocols, including X-ray screening and explosive detection systems, will remain unchanged.
As the policy is implemented airport by airport, travelers can expect enhanced efficiency and a smoother boarding experience. The change also reflects broader efforts by the administration to streamline everyday procedures and reduce what it calls “unnecessary burdens” on Americans.
In an era increasingly defined by balancing security and convenience, the decision to ease this long-standing restriction illustrates a cautious step toward modernization—addressing passenger frustrations while testing the limits of procedural reform.
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