Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
NORTH CHARLESTON — In the aftermath of U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s confrontation with Charleston airport officials, the agency’s police department rewrote its VIP policy for travelers like her. Federal lawmakers and other dignitaries will no longer receive expedited passage through the TSA checkpoint, and any future security detail must be arranged directly with the Transportation Security Administration. “Additionally, Charleston Airport Police will no longer provide protective services for these movements, but will be in a position to support if needed,” Lt. Philip Moniz wrote in the Nov. 3 emails obtained by The Post and Courier. The note was sent to the offices of South Carolina Republican U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, and Mace, R-Charleston. The change brings South Carolina’s largest airport in line with policies at other airports nationwide and ends a courtesy extended to some of the state’s most visible elected officials. Since January 2021, police protective services for VIP visitors — including members of Congress — were approved by the airport’s chief of police or executive officer. The change was issued hours after Mace held a Nov. 3 press conference in which she outlined a list of demands and defended her expletive-laden confrontation with airport police. The Oct. 30 incident apparently began when Mace arrived at the airport for an early-morning flight and a pre-arranged curbside security escort fell through. She had requested an escort based on the multiple threats she has received while a member of Congress, she said. Video of her arrival shows her walking toward the building by herself. In three written accounts from airport police in the aftermath, they reported Mace loudly calling officers “(expletive) incompetent” and quoted her as saying “this is no way to treat a (expletive) U.S. Representative.” Among her list of demands on the morning of Nov. 3 was an immediate review of security protocols at Charleston International Airport for members of Congress. Mace also asked for the designation of a single point of contact within the TSA for ongoing security coordination with her office, and formal coordination between TSA, Capitol Police and the Department of Homeland Security to '“ensure travel procedures reflect the Congresswoman’s elevated threat profile.” A phone number for TSA’s Travel Protocol Office was listed in the emails from Moniz. Officials familiar with congressional travel protocols say Mace’s requests were the outlier, not the norm. Most of South Carolina’s congressional delegation previously told The Post and Courier that they generally travel independently and do not routinely coordinate with airport personnel or police for trips to Washington or other political travel. Mace has said she regularly coordinates her security needs directly with Charleston International Airport, requesting an armed escort from the terminal curb to the gate. On Nov. 11, Mace reiterated her plans to sue Charleston International Airport and American Airlines, saying a suit could be filed as soon as next week. Mace, who is also a candidate for governor, further alleged that she was targeted by TSA because of her political beliefs. Megan Fernandes contributed to this report.
