A short time ago, we reported that the TSA had detained Senator Rand Paul this morning. The Hill is now reportingthat the TSA is denying that Senator Paul was detained, saying rather that he was escorted from the secure area and not
allowed to board his flight.
“When an irregularity is found during the TSA screening process, it must be resolved prior to allowing a passenger to proceed to the secure area of the airport,” the agency said Monday in a written statement. “Passengers who refuse to complete the screening process cannot be granted access to the secure area in order to ensure the safety of others traveling.”
Rep. Paul and Sen. Paul’s office contended the lawmaker was detained by TSA employees, but U.S. security officials denied that Sen. Paul was held by the agency. Instead, they said the senator was escorted out of the security area after his refusal to accept a pat-down after his trip through one of the agency’s X-ray machines caused issues.
Other reports claim that after the scanner detected “an anomaly” on the Senator’s knee, he lifted his pants lag to reveal no objects and refused further invasive inspection. Aside from the regular issues at play here, there is talk that the incident my violate Section I, Article VI of the Unite States Constitution, which states
[The Senators And Representatives] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place
This would seem to apply to Senator Paul as he was traveling to Washington when stopped. In any event we’re fairly certain that Rep. Paul, the Senator’s father, will have something interesting to say about this tonight at the Republican Presidential Debate in Florida.
Related articles
- Senator Rand Paul Refuses To Be Groped By TSA Agents, Detained In Nashville (flightwisdom.com)
