Ninety-six. That’s the percentage of fake explosives and banned weapons overlooked by the Transportation Security Administration in a recent system-wide security test at dozens of our busiest airports, conducted by undercover Homeland Security “Red Teams” posing as travelers.

According to officials briefed on the results of a recent Homeland Security Inspector General’s report, TSA agents failed 67 out of 70 tests, with Red Team members repeatedly able to get potential weapons through checkpoints.

In one test an undercover agent was stopped after setting off an alarm at a magnetometer, but TSA screeners failed to detect a fake explosive device that was taped to his back during a follow-on pat down.

Officials would not divulge the exact time period of the testing other than to say it concluded recently…

This is not the first time the TSA has had trouble spotting Red Team agents. A similar episode played out in 2013, when an undercover investigator with a fake bomb hidden on his body passed through a metal detector, went through a pat-down at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty Airport, and was never caught.

Since 2009, however, no improvements have reportedly been made, despite throwing hundreds of millions of our tax dollars at the problem. Further proof that, despite liberal protestations otherwise, funding is not the issue, and innovation does not arrive by way of Big Government.

Meanwhile, HS Secretary Jeh Johnson is reportedly livid (though apparently not irked enough to secure the damned border):

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was apparently so frustrated by the findings he sought a detailed briefing on them last week at TSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, according to sources. U.S. officials insisted changes have already been made at airports to address vulnerabilities identified by the latest tests.

“Upon learning the initial findings of the Office of Inspector General’s report, Secretary Johnson immediately directed TSA to implement a series of actions, several of which are now in place, to address the issues raised in the report,” DHS said in a written statement to ABC News.

Great. He’s taking “actions.” I feel so much better. Remember, this is the same guy who released illegal aliens into our country with ties to known terrorists.

More on the TSA debacle, from ABC News:

The American Federation of Government Employees’ motto is “Stronger Unions, Safer Skies.” But in its fourteen years in operation, and billions of tax dollars later, the TSA has proven itself ineffective at catching potential terrorists. And just days ago, it was reported that thousands of “high security” badges and uniforms have gone missing. And I’m relatively certain that a gaggle of impish preschoolers playing dress-up is not to blame. In exchange, millions of Americans have endured much at the hands of TSA agents, including what amounts to legalized molestation. You may recall, or perhaps you’ve even had the joy of experiencing for yourself, scenes like these:

The term "government security" is an oxymoron. Can we please dismantle this multi-billion dollar waste of money? #TSA pic.twitter.com/Nj8hwRko16

— Kevin Sandlin (@kevsandlin) June 1, 2015

Yes, please.

The good news is that the TSA has mastered at least one area of vital national security:

#TSA the explosives and guns get thru – but 95% effective confiscating shampoo, toothpaste and shave cream. #Fox10Phoenix

— John Hook Fox 10 (@JohnHookfox10) June 2, 2015

This week, our Senate is battling amongst itself on the issue of the Patriot Act, penned by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner who himself insists it’s reaching far beyond what his bill intended. Many, including myself, see aspects of the PA as violations of our Fourth Amendment right to privacy, kinda like being groped by your neighborhood TSA agent. Only time will tell whether the expired provisions of the PA are ultimately renewed, or replaced with programs that are in line with the Constitution, and actually stop terrorists. The same is true for the TSA. One thing is for sure: Yes, there are good agents. But overall, the TSA is an incompetent money pit that should be privatized once and for all, undoubtedly much to the disdain of federal unions everywhere. And this investigation proves it. By the way, ISIS is watching, and taking copious notes. It’s time to stop fooling around with, and shamelessly politicizing, our national security.

UPDATE [1:35 pm]: From Townhall.com: “In response to the massive, overwhelming failure, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has reassigned current TSA Acting Administrator Melvin Carraway to a separate section of the Department.” Unfortunately, Jeh Johnson is still employed as head of Homeland Security.