**Tulsi Gabbard’s Brief Addition to TSA List Draws Scrutiny Amid Nomination**

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Donald Trump to oversee the intelligence community, was temporarily included on a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) list prompting extra security checks before flights. This inclusion was triggered by her travel history and foreign associations, as revealed by three sources in communication with CNN.

The list, part of a lesser-known TSA program called "Quiet Skies," aims to identify individuals for additional screening through an automated risk-based approach. Although Gabbard was swiftly removed after her public claims of being added to a "secret terror watchlist," a federal official clarified to CNN that list removals follow specific criteria and are not influenced by public disclosures.

Gabbard suggested her addition was politically motivated, stemming from her criticism of then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris during a Fox News interview, a claim refuted by two sources familiar with her case. Gabbard expressed her dismay on social media, labeling her inclusion as a betrayal and accusing the Harris-Biden administration of seeing her as a threat to their power.

Security officials noted Gabbard's unconventional overseas interactions, particularly a 2017 trip to Syria where she met President Bashar al-Assad, as part of her contentious history. CNN has sought Gabbard's comments regarding the entire situation.

While some sources believe Gabbard’s inclusion on Quiet Skies might have been innocuous, U.S. officials remarked on the rarity and potential implications of a top nominee being placed on any government watchlist. Ordinarily, Gabbard would need to clarify the foreign travels or contacts during her background check. However, questions arise about Trump's indication of possibly bypassing the standard vetting process for his nominees, raising concerns about the thoroughness of any risk assessment tied to her conduct.

Quiet Skies, distinct from the FBI's terrorist watchlist, utilizes travel patterns, foreign connections, and other data triggers for added airport security screenings by Air Marshals. Security officials stated the program maintains lower inclusion thresholds than other lists. When queried, TSA did not confirm Gabbard’s inclusion but emphasized that Quiet Skies is a risk-based security program, not a terrorist watchlist.

National security analyst Carrie Cordero remarked that the program is designed to flag individuals for further security checks to ensure they are safe to board domestic flights. As scrutiny intensifies over Gabbard's foreign policy positions, which critics claim sometimes align with Russian narratives, this development further complicates her nomination amidst growing unease among GOP senators.