Podcast host Joe Rogan denounced whoever was responsible for placing Tulsi Gabbard on a suspected terrorist watchlist.
This happened during the Biden administration. Rogan discussed this on The Joe Rogan Experience on Wednesday. Gabbard now serves as Director of National Intelligence.
Whistleblowers disclosed in 2024 that the Transportation Security Administration was surveilling Gabbard. Federal Air Marshals were also involved. They watched her while she was traveling.
Sources said she was placed on a TSA list known as the Quiet Skies program.
Rogan highlighted Gabbard’s record of service in Congress and the military on his podcast. He argued whoever put her on the list should be jailed and ashamed.
“She was a U.S. congresswoman for eight fucking years. She served overseas in a medical unit, right? So, she was deployed twice in a medical unit in the middle of the fucking war. And you’re labeling her a terrorist? Whoever did that — whoever signed off on that — should be in fucking jail. That’s crazy. That’s such an abuse. That’s such an abuse of power. And you want to talk about going after your political enemies in a sick, third-world country way — that’s a great example of that.”
Rogan continued his criticism of the Biden administration’s actions.
“You put a congresswoman for eight years on the terrorist watchlist — for what? For what reason? None? No reason? There’s not some crazy tweets where she’s made … She’s not even like [Republican Georgia Rep.] Marjorie Taylor Greene, who gets hog wild sometimes. She’s not like that … Tulsi’s not like that at all. And you put her on a terrorist watchlist? Shame on you. Fucking shame on you.”
Gabbard told Matt Taibbi’s Racket News in 2024 about her experiences. She and her husband endured random searches at airports. These searches spanned up to 45 minutes.
“It happened every time I boarded.”
Gabbard described the invasive nature of the searches.
“I’ve got a couple of blazers in there, and they’re squeezing every inch of the entire collar, every inch of the sleeves, every inch of the edging of the blazers. They’re squeezing or padding down underwear, bras, workout clothes, every inch of every piece of clothing.”
President Donald Trump’s administration ended the Quiet Skies program in June. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke about the decision at the time.
“It is clear that the Quiet Skies program was used as a political rolodex of the [former President Joe] Biden Administration—weaponized against its political foes and exploited to benefit their well-heeled friends.”
The program had grown after Jan. 6, 2021. It was used to monitor individuals who protested at the Capitol. This information came from Taibbi’s reporting.
The Biden administration weaponized federal agencies against political opponents. Tulsi Gabbard was a prime target. She served her country honorably for years.
She was a U.S. congresswoman for eight years. She deployed twice to war zones in a medical unit. She risked her life for America.
Yet the Biden administration treated her like a terrorist. They put her on a watchlist without any valid reason. They subjected her to humiliating searches at every airport.
Rogan is absolutely right to be furious about this. This is third-world dictator behavior. This is what happens in countries without freedom or rule of law.
America is supposed to be better than this. But the Biden administration proved that Democrats will abuse power against anyone who opposes them.
Gabbard’s crime was simple. She criticized the Democratic Party establishment. She left the Democratic Party and endorsed Donald Trump. She spoke out against endless wars.
For this, she was labeled a terrorist by her own government.
The searches Gabbard endured were degrading and invasive. TSA agents squeezed every inch of her clothing. They searched her underwear and bras. They did this every single time she flew.
This wasn’t about security. This was about punishment and intimidation. The Biden administration wanted to make Gabbard’s life difficult. They wanted to send a message to other potential critics.
Kristi Noem was right to end the Quiet Skies program. It was being used as a political weapon. Biden’s friends got special treatment. Biden’s enemies got harassment.
The program expanded after January 6 to target Trump supporters. Anyone who went to the Capitol protest became a target. The government tracked them and monitored their travel.
This is not what America is supposed to be. This is authoritarian government overreach. This is the deep state attacking American citizens for their political beliefs.
Rogan’s anger reflects what millions of Americans feel. The Biden administration crossed every line. They weaponized intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and security programs against political opponents.
Whoever signed off on putting Gabbard on the terrorist watchlist should face consequences. They abused their power in the most egregious way possible. They targeted a decorated veteran and former congresswoman.
Shame on them indeed.