Protecting the nation is serious business, and as always we are rooting for the government to get the job done. But a recent report by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Inspector General that uncovered some outrageous instances of waste and fraud in the newly-formed, vitally important Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has raised the hairs on our head. These textbook examples of small-time corruption are all too typical in the executive branch, but they have no place in our government agencies fighting the war on terror.

The Inspector General’s report makes the TSA sound like they are more interested in interior decorating than homeland security. The TSA spent $252,392 to furnish their office with artwork, $29,032 to hire an art consultant, and $30,085 to decorate their operations center with silk plants. After their spending spree, project managers changed contracting invoices in an attempt to cover up the expenditures.

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