The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are reportedly ending the long-standing “shoes-off” airport security policy, with an official announcement set for Tuesday evening.
The press conference is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where TSA is expected to confirm the change affecting travelers nationwide.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted at the development Monday, calling it “big news from @DHSgov” in a post on X.
The shoes-off requirement has been in place since 2006, a response to British al-Qaeda operative Richard Reid’s failed attempt to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a 2001 flight from Paris to Miami.
“This is about making travel less stressful while maintaining strong security,” a TSA spokesperson said. “We continue to innovate and streamline the process wherever possible.”
For years, TSA PreCheck and services like CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos allowed certain passengers to skip shoe removal. Now, that privilege is set to expand to all travelers going through standard security lanes.
The policy shift is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to improve the airport experience. Just last week, TSA began offering exclusive security lanes for active-duty military members.
More details are expected during Tuesday’s press conference, including the timeline for implementation and any exceptions to the updated protocol.