Originally Posted by Bart

You can always refuse to remove them. However, the screener is then unable to clear you, and this will result in you being escorted off the checkpoint and denied access to the aircraft. It may also mean intervention by law enforcement officers since they may have the basis for reasonable suspicion, but this may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. I, of course, cannot speak on the law enforcement aspects. From a TSA perspective, we were unable to clear you due to your unwillingness to cooperate.