The thing is, all this security theater robs us of real rights, and it distracts from real dangers. I'd rather that passengers be less haggard (after all the airport inconvenience) and more alert, which could observe real danger.
I'll go on record as saying that I refuse to travel to the US nowadays. The security theatre carries a real risk to harmless, legitimate travellers like myself that they can find themselves detained in some apparently constitution and law free zone if they aren't uber-deferential to the TSA goons, or do something silly like insisting on their rights, or have a common name (like David Jones) that has found its way onto a watch list. I regard the risk from the TSA and the official paranoia and fear, as far in excess of of the risk from any actual terrorists. I wonder what the economic cost is in tourism and trade from people who think like me has been to the US (and other countries that kowtow to their neurotic version of security).
Though I fundamentally agree with you, just a little clarification, you’re confusing TSA and CBP.
TSA is a largely merely annoying troupe that takes your water and butter knives and ogles you on the perv scanners. But TSA agents have no power to arrest you, they must call police. You encounter TSA at security screening only.
CBP (customs and border patrol) is a law enforcement agency, and you encounter them on arrival into USA. They have broad enforcement powers and can detain you. And from what 45 has told them to do, I dot blame foreigners who don’t wanna deal with it.
For me, I’m American and want to visit home, and as a citizen I’m far less likely to be scrutinized anyway. But I totally understand foreigners saying “screw that, I’ll go somewhere welcoming”.