Jesse Ventura is taking it to the courtroom with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. Ventura filed a lawsuit claiming that the airport full-body scans and pat-downs violate his Constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
The former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler received a titanium implant after he had hip replacement surgery in 2008. As a result of the implant, the airport metal detectors went off. Because of this, Ventura said he has been subject to pat-downs and whole body imaging.
As a host of "Conspiracy Theory," Ventura is a frequent flyer and has to go through the full-body scans at least two times a week. Ventura says the scans are both "intrusive" and "degrading."
Ventura's lawyer, David Olsen, says he is not seeking any monetary damages. He just wants the court to order that the government stop subjecting him to the screenings.
"We consider the pat-downs and the whole body scanners to be a step too far, and they have crossed into the realm of the unreasonable," Olsen said.
According to the TSA, pat-downs are necessary to protect the traveling public.
"Pat-downs are one important tool to help TSA detect hidden and dangerous items such as explosives," the agency's website said.
Olsen said Ventura has stopped flying commercially to avoid the screening process.
"It virtually makes it impossible for him to work in his present job," Olsen said.
