Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) suggested surprise in describing how a man who appeared “middle eastern” was not given a pat down at the airport while others were stopped by the Transportation Security Administration.
While speaking to to the Georgia College Republicans Broun, who is running for Senate, described how others trying to board their flights were stopped but a man traveling alone in “eastern dress” was stopped. Broun seemed surprised that the man wasn’t stopped.
“You go through TSA. Does anybody not go through airports? Hold up your hand if you don’t because I don’t want to embarrass anyone but we’re patting down grandma and little children,” Broun said Wednesday. The remarks were flagged by Buzzfeed on Friday
“Let me tell y’all a story. I went through the screening of an airport not too long ago and right in front of me there was an elderly lady,” Boun continued. “TSA pulled her off to the side and patted her down. And then right behind her was a little kid and he got pulled to the side. I went through and right behind me was somebody dressed in eastern dress —man, single guy, traveling by himself. That’s typically [described] as middle eastern and he went right through.”
In the clip Broun did not explain why he thought this happened or if it was a coincidence. Broun is one of a handful of Republicans running to win Sen. Saxby Chambliss’s (R-GA) Senate seat.
Watch the clip here.
