Europe is again resisting efforts by the Trump administration to install a laptop ban on all flights headed to US destinations.
Following a conference call Tuesday afternoon between Department of Homeland Security and European Commission officials, it was reported that the Trump administration is not extending its laptop restrictions to EU airports.
A commission official told Politico that there would be “no ban” and that “both sides have agreed to intensify technical talks and try to find a common solution.”
In March, the Trump administration placed restrictions on the in-cabin use of large electronics aboard foreign carriers bound for the US that originated in eight Muslim-majority nations: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Turkey, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
The EU was assured during a meeting two weeks ago that similar restrictions would not apply to Europe. Those assurances were cast in doubt over the weekend, however, due to comments made by Homeland Security chief John Kelly.
He told Fox News on Sunday that he “might” extend the ban to European nations. Kelly said his department was “still following the intelligence,” but that it’s a “real threat.”
“I reserve that decision until we see where it’s going,” Kelly added.
According to Politico’s sources, European Commission officials noted the safety risk of lithium batteries being stored in airplane cargo holds.
Civil rights groups raised concerns with the laptop ban’s implementation in Muslim nations. The Director of the ACLU National Security Project, Hina Shamsi, said the Trump administration “hasn’t provided a security rationale that makes sense for this measure targeting travelers from Muslim-majority countries.”
“Given the administration’s already poor track record, this measure sends another signal of discriminatory targeting,” she added.
Despite the voices in opposition, prominent Democrats supported the President’s actions. House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said they were “necessary” and “proportional to the threat.”
