White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert said Sunday the new airport security guidelines handed down by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly last week are the best opportunity to increase air travel security since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Kelly announced last week the United States would phase in new security measures at airports over time, which would both be seen and unseen. A global ban on laptops being in carry-on luggage was not a part of the plan, but remains on the table, Bossert said.
“This is the most comprehensive opportunity for aviation security since 9/11,” he said.
He added the ban on laptops is “something that we’ve considered and that’s not off the table.”
Bossert said Kelly decided to ramp up security guidelines overall instead of targeting certain airports, like he did with a ban on laptops being in carry-on luggage from 10 Middle Eastern and African airports in March.
The new plan allows the entire world to have the opportunity to improve their security, he said.
Bossert said the American people should be able to relax during the July 4 holiday, knowing that the country’s homeland security outfits are protecting them.
“They should focus on that and feel safe and secure, and know we’re doing what we can to protect them,” he said.
