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Three Airports Join TSA Gold Plus, Union Warns Privatization Risks

7/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tampa, Des Moines and Charleston airports will join TSA Gold Plus, a program launched by President Donald Trump’s administration allowing partnerships under TSA standards.
Airport officials say privatization will cut backups, but the American Federation of Government Employees warns contractors could ignore 9/11 lessons.
TSA says it can cancel contracts.
Rep. Andy Kim criticized the expansion while nominee David Cummins said it will make security resilient to theater.

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Story summary

Tampa, Des Moines and Charleston airports will join TSA Gold Plus, a program launched by President Donald Trump’s administration allowing partnerships under TSA standards.
Airport officials say privatization will cut backups, but the American Federation of Government Employees warns contractors could ignore 9/11 lessons.
TSA says it can cancel contracts.
Rep. Andy Kim criticized the expansion while nominee David Cummins said it will make security resilient to theater.