Yes, it’s not just the power given to the agency itself, it’s the power given to the individual inspectors. What I find totally unnerving is that most of these “agents” (at least in major metropolitan areas where I’ve observed them) are NOT American born. MANY look to be muslim, many have thick accents. Most could not get a real job in the private sector, yet they now have the power to decide who gets on a plane and who doesn’t. Plus the power to confiscate anything they like from your baggage. I will bet a large sum that when they confiscate things of value, those things go home with them.
Hmm, that makes for some interesting mischief.