The police officer who boarded the AA flight and 'confiscated' the crash axe could also be prosecuted. Removing ANY required safety equipment from a passenger jet in the US (Federal Air Regulations, Part 121) is ALSO a felony, punishable by jail and steep fines.
What a bunch of idiots these TSA staffers are; if we have to rely on them to catch the next wave of terrorists, we're doomed. Europe has MUCH better screeners, and they're MUCH more professional.