U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta blasted pop star Britney Spears as "irresponsible" for driving with her infant son on her lap.

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"No matter who you are, there's absolutely no excuse for this display -- not instinct, not fear, not even reckless paparazzi," Mineta said as he kicked off National Child Passenger Safety Week Monday in Philadelphia.

"It's irresponsible to compromise the safety of a child for the sake of the moment," he added.

The photos taken Feb. 6 by paparazzi prompted Los Angeles County welfare workers to send sheriff's deputies to Spears's home. Law enforcement officials, however, said she would not be charged with a crime.

Spears released a statement saying she was being chased by paparazzi and was "instinctively" protecting her son by not returning him to his child seat.

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Mineta said the pop star's actions "send the wrong message to millions of fans."

California law requires children under the age of 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds to be in special car safety seats.