#Gate-gate? Former N.J. Gov. Christie Responds To CBS2's Report About Newark Airport Security Incident
NEWARK (CBSNewYork) - Being governor is so yesterday.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie learned the hard way that his special treatment is over.
Christie tried to circumvent a TSA checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal C Thursday morning. Christie was with his State Police detail and attempted to enter through a special access area, located near the exit of the restricted area of the terminal.
The Port Authority says one of its officers refused to let Christie pass, telling the former governor that he is no longer allowed to use that access.
The officer escorted Christie to the regular entrance.
Christie cooperated as instructed.
New Jersey governors have the option to have a trooper protect them for six months. Two previous governors and Christie have opted to exercise that option.
Thursday night, Christie posted on Twitter, calling the story "pure fiction."
Absolutely false story about my travel today. NJSP security detail & I were led to one entrance in the airport by PAPD officer. TSA informed PAPD and NJSP that this was the wrong way to enter and directed us to another entrance where I was screened & admitted to the airport(1/2)
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 18, 2018
"Absolutely false story about my travel today," he said. "NJSP security detail & I were led to one entrance in the airport by PAPD officer. TSA informed PAPD and NJSP that this was the wrong way to enter and directed us to another entrance where I was screened & admitted to the airport."
Neither option was the way I entered airport as Governor(wrong in the story) and PAPD officer never denied me entry at either place (also wrong in story). He was a gentleman assisting my security detail. When he got the right info he took me to the right place. Pure fiction.(2/2)
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 18, 2018
"Neither option was the way I entered airport as Governor (wrong in the story) and PAPD officer never denied me entry at either place (also wrong in story)," he continued. "He was a gentleman assisting my security detail. When he got the right info he took me to the right place. Pure fiction."
Despite the governor's denial, a Port Authority spokesperson specifically told CBS2 the following shortly before 10:30 a.m. Thursday:
"Port Authority says Christie showed up at Newark Airport today with NJ State PD detail. They tried to go into the special access area where they have been going for years. A PA cop told him he was no longer allowed to use that access and they escorted him to the regular area."