After the September 11th attacks of 2001, the United States government quickly formed the TSA and increased airport security. The TSA or Transportation Security Administration was developed within 2 months of the attacks to improve security in airports around the country.
The Patriot Act was more controversial as it gave the US government powers to infiltrate and spy on every call, text message and even email without prior notice of a citizen. At the time it was deemed necessary to increase security within the country.