Originally Posted by
chollie
(bolding mine): interfering with the screening process.
If you try to discuss with the LEO and it is an airport where the LEOs take direction from TSOs, then you'll probably be told to leave. If you continute to try to discuss the issue, you will be arrested for public disturbance or failing to follow an LEO's orders.
Read up on Phil Mocek.
Technicality, but I think "interference with the screening process" is a civil (or maybe administrative) offense that can only be judged in a Coast-Guard kangaroo court, not a criminal court, and can carry no penalty worse than a fine. I don't think it is a crime that can result in arrest.
That explains why passengers who are arrested by LEOs at the direction of TSA (e.g., Phil Mocek, Andrea Abbott) are charged with disorderly conduct and/or other contempt-of-cop charges. In most of these cases, it seems the TSA and/or LEOs work together to egg on the passenger and elicit a response that can be used to justify an arrest. That's certainly what both the Mocek recordings and Abbott video indicate to me.
I hope this stupid questioning ends up in the courts very quickly with cases of people being denied access to the aircraft for refusal to answer or play along. If it gets struck down, great. If not, I need to start looking for a new country.