Southers withdraws nomination to head TSA
Erroll G. Southers, assistant chief of airport police in Los Angeles, said Wednesday morning that he is withdrawing his nomination to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
President Obama tapped Southers in September to lead the federal agency that helps protect airline passengers from terrorist attacks.
In a statement, Southers said he is withdrawing because his nomination has become a lightning rod for those with a political agenda. His confirmation has been blocked by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who says he is worried Southers would allow TSA employees to join a labor union.
Recently, a band of Republican congressmen also dogged his nomination with questions about a reprimand he received 22 years ago as an FBI agent and whether he is qualified to oversee the TSA, a massive department with 45,000 screeners at 450 airports nationwide.
The White House said the president has accepted Southers’ decision with great sadness.
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