Rand Paul TSA Incident Documented In New Airport Security Footage (VIDEO)

Nashville International Airport on Thursday released footage of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint earlier this week that appears to counter a police report that claimed he was "irate" after running into complications during a security screening.

According to the Tennessean, a police report from the incident on Monday described officers responding to the situation encountering "a passenger being irate."

In the video above, via the Tennessean, Paul can be seen seated in the bottom left corner, talking on a cell phone while other airport personnel move around the glass cubicle. For a portion of the video -- which captures no audio -- Paul is behind a large column obstructing the view of the camera.

While attempting to return to Washington D.C. through Nashville on Monday, Paul set off an alarm on a scanner while passing through security. He proceeded to refuse a pat-down, instead asking to be run through the machine again. TSA officials refused to grant him his request, which led to what Paul characterized as being "detained."

A TSA spokesperson later denied that the senator had, in fact, been "detained."

"Passengers, as in this case, who refuse to comply with security procedures are denied access to the secure gate area. He was escorted out of the screening area by local law enforcement," the TSA said in a statement.

The debacle drew strong criticism from Rand Paul's father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who took time out from his presidential campaign to release a statement blasting the TSA.

"The police state in this country is growing out of control," the statement said. "One of the ultimate embodiments of this is the TSA that gropes and grabs our children, our seniors, and our loved ones and neighbors with disabilities. The TSA does all of this while doing nothing to keep us safe."

The elder Paul later launched a money-bomb based on the incident, seeking to fundraise off his oft-stated goal to "end the TSA."

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[SteveDisque]

02:26 PM on 01/30/2012

Interesting that Ron Paul reserves his comments about a growing "police state" after an incident involving the TSA. I wonder if he's equally quick to jump on the "police state" powers, and implications, of the so-called PATRIOT Act. AFAIK, he's not commented on that.

[Eleutheria]

11:16 PM on 02/01/2012

Are you joking? Ron Paul has railed against the Patriot Act. It's an abomination. I've found that a lot of people misjudge Ron Paul's positions in this manner. Just because he runs on a Republican ticket does not mean he supports their agenda. Indeed, he opposes his own party as much as anyone.

[blissnsmiles]

09:34 AM on 01/30/2012

I replied to an accusation of being a racist by "twelve" and my comment defending myself was censored. It was in no way offensive and my comment was anti war. I hope this is not censored also, but I wouldn't be surprised. Wow.

[woodsjs]

12:38 AM on 01/30/2012

We have become a country afraid of the boogeyman. Have any of you seen the old war propaganda that just seem ridiculous that people bought into it.. Well fast forward and you'll see this is the same thing. We need to focus on our foreign policy and our involvement with other countries. Everyone should understand blowback and that we need to stop wars with alterior profitable interests.

[Acebass]

11:19 PM on 01/29/2012

‎1. Randalized
Rand Paul's effect on the middle class
Your working for less because you've been Randalized

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Randalized

I want the T-shirt

[Bantychick]

03:05 PM on 01/29/2012

It's not that big a deal. I leave the country a couple times a year. It's easy to go through security if you start out prepared. Blame the yahoos that have to take everything but the kitchen sink on board, don't take their laptops out until asked, try to take knives, scissors, drinks etc through security, forget to take off their belts, leave the pocket change in the pants, etc etc etc. Those are the people I'd like to hit over the head. Oh yeah the guy trying to fly out of the country without a passport and stood there arguing. Or like Rand Paul who thinks he is SPECIAL.

[WeAreSoDoomed]

01:59 PM on 01/29/2012

TSA operates with low bid contract & pays their airport screeners between $10-18/hour...not much better than your average Fast Food empolyee $8-12/hr...

[filiusj]

01:19 PM on 01/29/2012

Welcome to the average american's world. It was the repubs that wrote the patriot act and established homeland security and it's Chertoff's scanners being used. So Ron, quit bit$hin about laws your party established. Congress should have to follow all the laws it passes.

[Eleutheria]

11:49 PM on 02/01/2012

For a politician to oppose policies implemented by his own party demonstrates that he puts principle over party, and that's what we should want in an elected official, unless you prefer that our country be ruled by the agendas of political parties rather than the people.

[filiusj]

05:37 PM on 02/02/2012

Ironic that he only protested once he got hassled at the airport, not before, don't you think?

[Simply put]

12:55 PM on 01/29/2012

But think of all the money that has gone into private hands for all this "security". Trainers, consultants and product entrepreneurs have capitalized on the fear - such is the American way. Profit at any cost to human dignity and personal freedom is OK.

[Clearing-Brush]

12:46 PM on 01/29/2012

Not a Paul fan, but I agree that a "police state" atmosphere is growing out of control here. Airports have become a pretty intimidating place for most not so different from other totalitarian states. If you sneeze the wrong way, you could be presumed to be a suspect of "something" and treated accordingly. Big brother is watching everywhere, phone calls listened to, emails scanned, warrantless searches, "papers please", etc., etc.

All in the name of keeping us safe. Where have I heard that before?

[Validusername]

01:05 PM on 01/29/2012

I wish we could cut the hysteria. Sometimes it is a pain to go through airports so come up with a better plan. I've had a hip replacement and thus I must be "x-rayed" or patted down everytime I fly. I've never felt violated and, in fact, everyone is always cordial and procedures are explained to me. I travel regularly and arrive early enough so that it doesn't become a hassle. If big brother is checking my emails, he is bored to tears and the only time I am asked to show my papers is during foreign travel. Sorry, but I think it is still a little soon to push the panic button. It can be a nuisance but that's life.

[Clearing-Brush]

01:26 PM on 01/29/2012

Good for you that you feel at home in a police state atmosphere. Not everybody shares your sentiments. Remember freedom? I don't like my privacy invaded or to be watched like some suspect everywhere I go.....

[WeAreSoDoomed]

01:59 PM on 01/29/2012

Other countries don't grope Seniors or Children to keep you safe from Terrorists

[Angus1212]

12:32 PM on 01/29/2012

I bet he still said the words "Do you know who I am?'

[Eric Echevarria]

12:26 PM on 01/29/2012

There are so many of you commenting here that seem to be in love with the idea of a pot bellied criminal TSA agent fondling your daughters and wives and beating your grandmothers to the ground that it leads me to believe that the brainwashing you’ve been exposed to is more effective than I ever could have imagined.

[newamericanliberal]

12:22 PM on 01/29/2012

The rule of law applies to all. Even you Pauly.

[Eric Echevarria]

12:30 PM on 01/29/2012

“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….” according to Article I, Section 6.

[newamericanliberal]

12:52 PM on 01/29/2012

And?

[Clearing-Brush]

12:49 PM on 01/29/2012

I agree, Yes it's the law. But too many laws have been encroaching on our civil liberties.

[newamericanliberal]

12:54 PM on 01/29/2012

Then should we be like Russia, or perhaps Egypt? if you think your civil liberties are encroached in US....but I agree the Patriot Act goes way too far and we are letting our reps worry too much about what we do in our own houses.

[Bantychick]

03:09 PM on 01/29/2012

Give me an example

[Barbara MacQueen]

12:15 PM on 01/29/2012

TSA is a joke.....

[Clearing-Brush]

12:51 PM on 01/29/2012

TSA is only doing what they're told. The problems are the laws.

[AquariusZero]

11:43 AM on 01/29/2012

Turn bills into laws then refuse to live by those laws...Congress Disease. Term limits are in order.

[TedEjr]

11:26 AM on 01/29/2012

Well Paul, you are a Senator, and daddy is a Congressman, you are both in a position to change things.

Stop your whining, get off your butt, and change it, if you think it needs changing.