Democratic nominee faces online criticism after 2025 podcast remarks on TSA PreCheck and airlines

In the interview, Valdez said she wanted to abolish TSA PreCheck and nationalize the airline industry. She cited airline profits, passenger fees, and limited consumer protections as reasons for the proposals.

Primary victory and resurfaced comments Valdez won Tuesday's Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez, defeating Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and two other candidates. The clip came from a May 1 appearance on the "Candidate Corner" segment of "The Bitchuation Room" podcast.

A former staffer for Sen. John Fetterman posted criticism of the PreCheck proposal. David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, said nationalizing airlines would place the industry under the current administration.

Policy context and campaign platform TSA describes PreCheck as an expedited screening program that uses risk assessments before passengers arrive at an airport. The U.S. airline industry has operated under a largely deregulated framework since the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

Valdez's published campaign transportation platform calls for shifting federal funding from roads toward public transit, walking, and biking. It does not list abolishing PreCheck or nationalizing airlines. Fox News Digital reached out to Assemblywoman Valdez for comment but did not immediately hear back.