White House Press Secretary Jay Carney denied that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., saying that he was instead “denied access” to the flight gate.

“And let’s just be clear, the passenger was not detained,” Carney said today, opting not to use Paul’s name. “Passengers, as in this case, who refuse to comply with security procedures are denied access to the secure gate area.  In this case, the passenger was escorted out of the screening area by local law enforcement.”