SCARY

Ray LaHood’s Son Barred from Leaving Egypt

Including Sec. LaHood’s son.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s son, Sam LaHood, and at least four other U.S. citizens have been barred from leaving Egypt as part of a crackdown that followed security forces raiding the offices of Washington-backed groups who are monitoring the elections. Sam LaHood is the director of the Egyptian program of the International Republican Institute, which has close ties to the Republican Congressional leadership. Sam LaHood and the other IRI employees were not given a reason why they couldn’t leave, and they have been allowed to keep their passports. The IRI is one of 17 foreign nongovernmental organizations raided by Egyptian security forces on Dec. 29, in an effort by the Egyptian government to find what they call the “foreign influences” behind the recent protests.