John Pistole, the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), appeared to back off his hard stance to not modify new security rules requiring intrusive physical screenings of passengers Sunday, saying that authorities viewed the process as an "evolving program."

Pistole released a statement Sunday afternoon, saying "We are constantly evaluating and adapting our security measures, and as we have said from the beginning, we are seeking to strike the right balance between privacy and security.

"This has always been viewed as an evolving program that will be adapted as conditions warrant, and we greatly appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the American people," he added.

His statement came just hours after he appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" program affirming that no changes would be made to the current screening process.

"No. Not going to change," Pistole said when asked by CNN host Candy Crowley if the recent controversy over body pat-downs could force the TSA to change it current policies.

The turnabout comes amid uproar from passengers and lawmakers that the new screening procedures -- which include thorough body pat-downs and full-body scans -- left many passengers humiliated.

"Very few people actually receive the pat-down. In spite of all the public furor about this, very few people do," Pistole said in his earlier appearance on CNN.

Pistole's changed stance came after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admitted on another show Sunday that she personally would rather not have to submit to a pat-down if she could help it.

"I understand how difficult it is and how offensive it must be for the people who are going through it," Clinton said on CBS' "Face the Nation" program.
Asked by host Bob Schieffer if she would submit to a pat-down, Clinton replied, "Not if I could avoid it. No. I mean, who would?"