Chicago Dad Who Spoke Out Against Porn in Schools Faces Extra Security Screening En Route to CPAC
After opposing pornographic material in his children’s school, a Chicago father was placed on a watchlist. He claims that he received further harassment from the Transportation Security Administration on Saturday as he traveled to the Conservative Political Action Committee conference (CPAC), in Maryland.
Terry Newsome from Chicago found out in December 2022 that he had been placed on a terror watch list He tried to fly between O’Hare Airport and Phoenix. Newsome attempted to fly to Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport on March 1. He was told that his name was still under surveillance despite the positive signs.
Though he is still permitted to fly, having his name on the list—which federal law enforcement agencies have not explained—means invasive and embarrassing extra screening for Newsome.
Newsome continues to fight the bureaucracies of Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and FBI, despite his attempts to get his name taken off the list.
Continued Battle with Cancer
Newsome, who was placed on the waiting list for disability purposes, has been working tirelessly to rebuild his reputation since his discovery. “brutal” Radiation therapy is available for stage 4 cancer.
“A week and a half ago, I finished like seven weeks of intense radiation five days a week,” Newsome spoke to the Epoch Times during an interview.
His immune system had been compromised and he felt fatigued. He also expressed concern about his ability to fly with an immune system that was so weak.
“I really shouldn’t have went anywhere because my immune system is pummeled from the radiation, right?” Newsome added.
Despite his usual opposition to masks—quipping “I’m a Republican” to explain—Newsome said he took precautions and wore a mask on the plane to protect his health.
Newsome admitted that despite being nervous on the trip, he was determined to attend CPAC because of his continuing mission to clean his name. Thus, despite his weakened state—and defying his family’s wishes that he not go—Newsome boarded a plane to Washington last week to attend CPAC, where he hoped to find more assistance with his TSA problem.
Invasive screening
Newsome found out that Chicago’s O’Hare was still carrying his ticket upon his March 1 arrival. “quad-S” (SSSS) designation, despite his being a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pre-check-approved flier for over a decade before.
Newsome had asked the TSA earlier for clarification. The TSA replied at that time, saying that they would review the query. “standard screening protocol” Moving forward
SSSS fliers receive a full body pat down in addition to rigorous bag screening. They are also required to have their hands and, sometimes according to reports, their feet checked for explosives.
This search may be more intrusive depending on the circumstances. Flyers with the SSSS label can expect to have questions asked about their luggage, travel plans, as well as why they are going.
Newsome claimed that although the particulars of SSSS screening can be minor in themselves, they add up to a lot.
Newsome tried to register for his flight via the American Airlines app on February 28, just 24 hours before his scheduled flight.
Newsome can get a bump in his first or second class seat as an American Platinum Flier. When he tried to check in, however, Newsome realized he couldn’t—the first indication that his flight status had not been resolved.
Newsome discovered, upon his arrival at the airport on March 1, that he had difficulty printing his ticket. He was required to have federal approval in order for the airline to print his ticket, as it occurred December.
“For me, it’s not like I’m just an enhanced security whatever else it is,” Newsome added. “I can’t even—not only can I not enhance [my ticket], I can’t even get a boarding pass until there’s somebody from the government to give American Airlines the approval to print the ticket.”
Newsome realized that he was still on this list and decided to simply check his bag to prevent the embarrassment caused by having his personal, medication, clothing, and other items removed from his bag.
Newsome went to TSA after he checked his bag and received his ticket.
Newsome was aware that TSA agents were going through other passengers’ boarding passes and Newsome told them so. He was then removed from the queue and taken to an empty area for enhanced screening.
Newsome described the experience and cited how humiliating it was, even though he knew he did nothing wrong.
“They stopped the whole line,” Newsome added. “They actually made everybody get out … And they had supervisors come and took me through the enhanced screening. All these people were watching.”
Newsome, his bag, and the metal detector that they were using to scan them for their bags are standard procedures among most flyers.
They needed Newsome more: “I had to take off my shoes. Then they take my bags and everything else and I stand there while they go through everything.” Newsome had his crotch removed in front of others.
Newsome was added to the list later. “They swabbed everything for bombs.”
A similar scene was seen as Newsome tried to board his plane 30 minutes later.
TSA announces over loudspeaker that all passengers will be required to show their passports, identifications and boarding passes. The TSA officers joined by an unknown agent, wearing sunglasses, started screening documents from all borderers.
“I just knew it was for me,” Newsome added.
So he attracted attention to himself by telling TSA agents. “It’s me, I’m the quad-S.”
Newsome was later removed from line to allow for more screening. Newsome did not receive another American Airline Platinum Flier benefit. His ticket allowed him to be in group two.
Newsome claimed that this made him even more embarrassed than his first screening. This could also have been referred to as a random search.
‘Anti-Porn, Not Anti-Gay’
Earlier, Newsome had been politically active in his school district after learning about sexually explicit images in a book at his children’s school library—activities which Newsome believes may be responsible for his placement on the list in the first place.
Newsome hadn’t been to school board meetings, or in politics, until mid-2021. He attended the district board meeting because his son had returned from eighth grade and told him his teacher had said that. “there is no American dream.”
Newsome, the son of Italian immigrants, was stunned to learn that. The principal called Newsome to talk about the matter. He was concerned that his issues would worsen when his fraternal twins got into high school.
Newsome was present at Downers Grove Community High School’s first school board meeting in July 2021.
Newsome quickly began to take a stand on some hot topics, including mask mandates and critical race theory. She became an unofficial spokesperson for concerned mothers who were less likely to talk out.
“The moms are so happy to have an aggressive, type-A-personality father to join them. They had mostly fought this battle alone, against the giant system of public schools,” Newsome spoke to The Epoch Times.
Newsome’s opposition to the book was his most controversial activism “Gender Queer” Mia Kobabe has created a book with explicit pictures that contains sexually explicit material. It teaches children oral sex as well as controversial ideas about gender identity.
The book contains a selection that shows an adolescent biologically female struggling to get her way. “gender identity.” A device called a “a” is worn by the girl. “binder,” A tight, brassiere-like bra that reduces breast size. The book shows the girl engaging in oral sex at certain points.
Newsome was attacked by left-wing activists in Chicago for his opposition to the book. He has maintained that he is the activist, as he insists throughout his activist work. “anti-porn, not anti-gay or homophobic.”
Newsome coordinated events with Gays Against Groomers in Newsome’s area. This organization is made up gay and transsexual individuals who are outspoken against the inundation of minors with gender ideologies.
Newsome, who had been speaking out against both the book and left-wing ideology inundating his school, began to face attacks from everyone, from Antifa threats to Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill.
A publication is published two days later. Epoch Times article about his activismNewsome received threats from AntifascistrumorMill on Twitter.
“Action items announced soon in regard to Terry Newsome—time to Drop Pops and his hateful agenda,” The tweet was a reference to Newsome’s nickname “Pops.”
“Terry trying to make a name for himself, look at his stupid face in the Epoch Times, the extreme #disinformation rag that echoed all the lies, the Big Lie, the ‘Plandemic’ lie, etc.,” A second tweet came from the account.
The Epoch Times was told by Newsome that Casten is in the company of many others who have spoken against and threatened Newsome.
“The school board and the superintendent are all controlled by radical, radical leftists … that are very vocal in the Downers Grove Community and all supportive of Sean Casten,” Newsome added. “So anybody that speaks out with a different opinion is brutally attacked on social media and called racist, homophobic, and so forth, no matter the truth.”
“To make a point, I’ve said it from the very beginning, through now: Me and the other parents are not anti-gay or homophobic—we’re anti-porn,” Newsome added.
Judith Rose, Communications Director for the Group “Gays Against Groomers,” The Epoch Times was informed by a spokesperson that opposing the imposition of gender ideology on children is neither homophobic nor bigoted.
Rose said that Rose explained the purpose of the LGBT and transgender-led organization is to safeguard children against sexual content.
“Our goals involve getting legislation put in place to make education more appropriate for children to keep adult material away from children [and] to classify drag shows like a burlesque or strip club type situation where they have to be away from children,” Rose explained.
Rose answered a question about Newsome’s current situation. “heartbreaking.”
“I think it’s really heartbreaking, that there’s this wedge being formed between parents and schools,” Sie said. “And I just think it’s awful what’s happening, trying to classify parents as terrorists for standing up for how they want their kids to be raised or educated. Sometimes it’s not always an option to homeschool your kids.”
Rose claimed that children’s gender bias was harmful for LGBT adults. “it creates an even bigger wedge between our community and people who don’t necessarily approve of us,” Rose stated. “I respect their beliefs; I understand.
“However, I really wish that more people could see that it’s time to put our differences aside for the children—Gays Against Groomers represents a part of the LGBT community that understands not everyone is going to accept us or wants to accept us. Each person has their own religious belief. They have their religious beliefs, which we accept.” she said.
Rose continued, “We don’t want kids to be raised in an environment where they’re heavily saturated with ‘queer ideology’ or ‘queer culture.’ Each parent should have the right of knowing what’s happening to their child.”
“People on both the left and right don’t like our views. We’re trying to find that middle ground—that’s really all we want to do,” she stated.
“The end result is about the children, not us or our emotions or identities. This is about creating a safe space for kids.”
Jan. 6 Rally
Some of Newsome’s critics have in the past pointed out that he was present at the Jan. 6, 2021, “End the Steal” rally.
Newsome candidly admits that he attended the rally, but said he had no bad intentions and broke no laws that day.
“With my friend (a retired officer in the police force), I traveled to New Year 6 with us.” Newsome said.
According to Newsome, the FBI previously investigated his friend who attended the event, a retired Cook County police officer, and had cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The officer, who asked that his name be excluded from the story, has been Newsome’s friend for decades.
Asked whether he had observed Newsome committing any act that could be construed as a crime, he quickly said he had not, and that the two were together “100% of the time” in DC.
Additionally, Newsome was undergoing immunotherapy for cancer at the time, leaving him in a weakened state.
The day before, Newsome noted, “My cancer was treated with an IV.”
While, at the time, Newsome was undergoing immunotherapy rather than radiation treatments, he was nevertheless weakened by the treatments. He said at one point he felt so exhausted he had to lie down on the sidewalk for a few minutes before he could continue to the rally.
Newsome and his friend said their only reason for attending the rally was to hear President Donald Trump speak and to ensure people were safe.
“Two reasons we went to the summit were: one, to hear our president speak. Zwei, because even though we are older we both remain big men.” Newsome said. “Antifa was overly attacking families and parents in November and December. [and] BLM in front their hotels.”
Newsome said he had left by the time order broke down at the rally. As proof, he provided time-stamped photos.
Newsome’s companion backed up his story: “We were gone when the insurrection was alleged to have occurred.” he said. “Halfway to the hotel was reached. It was about three quarters of a mile from our destination. We saw several squad cars with lights, sirens, and lights halfway through our walk. They were heading in the direction to the Capitol.”
It was not until after the two men returned to their hotel that they learned about the Capitol breach, they said.
Newsome’s photos and time stamps from that day show that he did not trespass on Capitol grounds and was gone before the breach ensued.
Newsome said that he and his friend would not have attended the rally if they had known about the bad intentions some had that day.
“It is not illegal to be in DC on January 6, regardless of what the Nancy Pelosis or Liz Cheneys might want you to think.” Ed Martin, a top attorney for Jan. 6 defendants, told the Epoch Times. “These things disgust the American people.”
“It’s absurd to think that anyone who was present in Washington Jan. 6 would have committed any crime. It’s not America’s standard.”
Ambivalent Replies
Newsome has gotten lukewarm or ambivalent replies, or none, from the federal agencies with which he has discussed the issue.
Following his experience in December, Newsome sent a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request to the FBI, seeking more information about his newly discovered status as an alleged terror risk.
The FBI refused to discuss details with Newsome.
The FBI letter Newsome received in response to his request, says in part: “U.S. Government cannot either confirm or deny whether any particular individual is on any terrorist watchlist. To achieve U.S. government’s objectives, it is important to keep the confidentiality of watch lists. It also protects the privacy of those who are on watch lists for only a short time but later deleted. Terrorists could take steps to avoid being detected by the government authorities if they knew who was on any U.S. government watch lists. The FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of any subject on any watch list pursuant to FOIA.”
Because the federal government refuses to so much as acknowledge that Newsome has been placed on a list, it is unclear why Newsome’s name was flagged for enhanced screening.
Newsome told the Epoch Times that he thinks the addition of his name to the list may be in response to his past political activities.
In their response to an Epoch Times inquiry about Newsome, the FBI’s press office insisted that the agency does not open investigations solely on the grounds of protected First Amendment activity.
The FBI cannot open an investigation solely based on First Amendment protected activity.” the agency wrote.
Told about this reply, Martin immediately pointed out the key word in that reply: “solely.”
“The wiggle word is ‘solely,’ so that means they have to say something else,” Martin explained. “But it is not solely Because you are asking about pornography it is because either you received a speeding ticket at 18 and that was not resolved or you were there in January 6.
“So it’s not ‘solely’—[the FBI is saying they] would never do it solely on constitutionally-protected grounds,” Martin added that the FBI has effectively been named by Martin “the judge of what adds up to something dramatic.”
“The FBI replied: “We cannot and do not investigate ideology. We focus on individuals who commit or intend to commit violence and criminal activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security.”
Martin made another observation after hearing the reply. He called it a “amazing coincidence”. “wiggle” phrase: “intend to commit.”
“[The FBI is] saying here that they’re gonna read minds, and they’re gonna tell us who is intending to commit a crime,” Martin stated. “They didn’t say ‘a propensity for crime.’ At least with a ‘propensity’ you can look at some factors—if you have a previous conviction, if you have were arrested multiple times, and others—so with the word ‘propensity’ you can at least make an argument.
“They will become mind readers. They will be able to read minds of American citizens? That’s insanity,” Martin ruled.
The spokesperson expressly refused to answer questions relating to the process of placing someone on a watch list, including questions about oversight of the FBI’s ability to place Americans on flight watch lists.
“This is just dumb, you know.” Newsome said of the reply. “I know that I am on this list. That’s why I wrote to you.”
Additionally, Newsome also reached out to the TSA.
In his query, Newsome requested information and tried to get back on the TSA pre-check list.
In its reply, the TSA said he was no longer eligible for its pre-check list, but suggested that Newsome would no longer be subject to enhanced screening. Newsome thought after receiving the letter that he had been removed from the list before his most recent flight.
“As a result of recurrent checks and based on a comprehensive background check, TSA was unable to determine that you pose a sufficiently low risk to transportation and national security to continue to be eligible for expedited airport security screening through the TSA Pre-[Check] Programming for Applications” the reply said. “As a result, TSA has determined that you are no longer eligible to participate in the TSA Pre-[Check] Programme for Application
“This eligibility determination for the TSA Pre-[Check] Application Program is within the sole discretion of TSA,” The letter was added. “Although you have been found ineligible to continue your participation in the TSA Pre-[Check] Application Program, you will continue to be screened at airport security checkpoints according to TSA standard screening protocols.”
Martin was told about the responses and then sighed. “The bureaucrats will all say ‘It’s not me, it’s not me.’ At this point do we even know who has the oversight for this? Part of the problem with this government is now, when an official says ‘I’m not in charge of that,’ we can’t believe it.”
Newsome was also in touch with legal and political leaders and is determined to clear his name.
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