US Air Hubs Reject Kristi Noem Video Faulting Democratic Party for Federal Closure

Several key global airports across the United States, such as Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have chosen to block a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democrats for the current government closure from being shown at their security checkpoints.

Legal Issues Raised by Airport Officials

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester, New York have declined to broadcast the footage at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbids government workers from participating in partisan actions.

“Congressional Democrats decline to fund the U.S. government, and as a result, many of our functions are impacted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration employees are unpaid,” Noem said in the video.

The Port of Portland Response

The Portland airport authority clarified that it “would not agree to displaying the video in its current form, as we maintain the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” It added that Oregon law prohibits government staff from promoting or opposing any political party and that consenting to play this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

The Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the security announcement on comparable reasons, stating in a statement that “the video's message contained political messaging that did not align with the neutral, informational purpose of the PSAs typically shown at security checkpoints” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by government employees to ensure that public services remain unbiased.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport explained that it “refused to display the video” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly refused, citing “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law and the airport's rules for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The authority also noted that the TSA does not own any screens at its security areas and that its few display monitors are designated for directions, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Objection

Westchester County, in a public comment, called the PSA “unacceptable, unacceptable, and out of line with the values we anticipate from our nation’s top public officials.”

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive said, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes customer confidence.”

DHS Reply

A DHS assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a statement, adding that “Democrats will shortly realize the significance of reopening the government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Resolution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “encourage cooperative actions to end the government shutdown” and was striving to identify ways to assist government workers working without pay during the closure.