So neither TSA nor the airport police could do this, but some Homeland in-Security units do have the ability to interrupt cell service. Given all the commotion you describe, it might not have been a random coverage gap and there might have been members of other law enforcement units/agencies there that the average person would not notice. If there was reason to suspect a remotely activated device was present then cutting off local radio transmissions would absolutely be something in the toolkit. But, that's a very big IF because messing with radio communications is an enormously complicated logistical issue, and one not taken lightly or easily, especially at an airport where radio comms is absolutely crucial to life safety.

At the same time, gubmint has some REALLY nifty toys that can instantly identify exactly which radio sources are to be jammed. It's soooooo cool - and for those that might have noticed - its also why the timing of the inauguration got screwed up by a few minutes.