I gave two examples where FSDs did exactly that (added more stringent requirements). An FSD who does not support the Pre program has the ability to undermine the program by refusing to open or staff lanes or increasing the requirements for all paid participants (this happens regularly at LAX, where Pre pax in the Pre lane are still required to remove LGAs and laptops).

The PHX FSD has decided to implement a new form of Pre recently. Instead of a dedicated Pre belt, all Pre pax must show ID and rescan BP a second time, after the TDC and after their bags are on the belt. If they put their ID/BP in their bag, they are suddenly forced to remove shoes/belts/outwear/etc. to go through the NoS. If they have kept their ID/BP out, they are permitted to use the NoS. Because they're using the same belt, Pre pax have to remove laptops and LGAs. It's a mess, but the PHX FSD doesn't like the Pre program (even though there is a Pre enrollment center in the airport) and does not and will not fully support it.

Yes, an FSD most certainly could require every pax to get a full grope, and HQ would back him/her up publicly, likely on the grounds that it was a necessary response to a fictitious threat.

It shouldn't be a surprise. After all, screeners have enormous discretion. If you go to the TSA website and use the 'Can I bring?' tool or read the replies on 'Ask TSA', you will see that even necessary medical items are only 'generally' permitted - and all can be confiscated at the discretion of the screener, who always has the final say.

If a screener has the authority to confiscate nitro pills at his 'discretion', it should come as no surprise that an FSD has even greater 'discretion'.

BTW...FT's search function has never worked well for me. The business about FSDs being allowed to implement more stringent security measures, but not to relax rules, was posted here more than once in the past by 'resident' TSOs.