Update, Tuesday, July 8 at 4:20 p.m.: Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is expected to officially announce the policy change today at a 5 p.m. news conference at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Watch the YouTube stream below.
Just after one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, a major change may be coming to airports across the country, including Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Earlier this week, ABC News reported sources confirmed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would allow passengers to keep their shoes on during general security screenings.
The agency, which instituted the shoes-off policy nearly 20 years ago, has not announced an official change. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt seemed to confirm the news on X, formerly Twitter, this morning, when she retweeted the scoop from CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs.
New Times reached out to MIA and FLL to confirm whether the airports had received updated guidance from TSA, and whether travelers were being asked to remove their shoes in general security lines. Both airports referred us to the TSA for comment.Big news from @DHSgov! ✈️👟 https://t.co/GJjd2UQMki
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 8, 2025
A TSA spokesperson told New Times, "TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels." Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor TSA has issued an official announcement regarding a policy change.
Since 2013, travelers who've wanted to avoid removing their shoes during security checks could do so by signing up for TSA Pre-Check. The program also allows passengers to enter a dedicated security line, keep electronics in their bags, and skip removing other items, including belts and jackets.
