Charleston, South Carolina – Following an incident last month involving Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), the Charleston International Airport will no longer enable expedited clearance through TSA inspections for federal lawmakers and other dignitaries, according to amended guidelines obtained by News 2.
As of November 3, the Transportation Security Administration is in charge of all screening and security operations at the Charleston airport checkpoint. Charleston Airport Police will also no longer offer protective services for officials passing through TSA, but will be there to assist them if needed.
Moving forward, all dignitaries are asked to arrange directly with the TSA Travel Protocol Office, as is the case at the majority of airports around the nation.
The amended protocols were sent via email to the offices of South Carolina’s two senators, Lindsey Graham (R) and Tim Scott (R), as well as Mace’s and Rep. Jim Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) offices.
The modifications occurred just days after Mace was accused of displaying “irate” conduct and making insulting remarks about airport security personnel before an early morning departure on Thursday, October 30. She allegedly yelled loudly and made offensive remarks to officers escorting her to her gate.
The alleged outburst grabbed the attention — and, in some cases, criticism — of other elected officials, including more than 60 state legislators, local mayors, sheriffs, and council members who signed a statement supporting the airport and its staff.
Days after the event was made public, Mace accused the airport’s internal security of neglecting to provide her with adequate security detail on numerous occasions.
She blamed her frustration on repeated security errors, claiming that a miscommunication left her without an escort from the outside ticketing area to the TSA screening that morning.
Mace has threatened legal action against the airport and American Airlines for allegedly faking law enforcement reports on the incident, claiming they were politically motivated. She has not contested her alleged acts or the words used.
She also claimed during a news conference on November 11 that she had been targeted and subjected to “mandatory surveillance” by airport workers.
