American Air Hubs Refuse Kristi Noem Video Blaming Democratic Party for Federal Closure

A number of key international air travel hubs across the United States, including Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have opted to restrict a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that faults Democratic lawmakers for the current federal government shutdown from airing at their checkpoint areas.

Legal Concerns Raised by Aviation Authorities

Airport officials in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester, New York have declined to show the video content at screening areas, stating that the political statements could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from participating in partisan political activity.

“Democratic legislators refuse to support funding for the federal government, and because of this, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” Noem said in the video.

The Port of Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland noted that it “did not consent to playing the video in its present version, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for political purposes.” It added that state regulations in Oregon bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that consenting to play this content would violate Oregon law.

Las Vegas Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the TSA video on comparable reasons, stating in a release that “its content included political messaging that was inconsistent with the neutral, educational purpose of the public service announcements usually shown at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal 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 non-partisan.

Further Airport Responses

• Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport stated that it “refused to display the PSA” to stay “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport said that state municipal law and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not permit the referenced video.” The airport also noted that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its security areas and that its limited digital screens are reserved for wayfinding, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester Objection

The county, in a public comment, called the PSA “unacceptable, unacceptable, and out of line with the standards we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a government closure on security operations,” the county executive said, adding that the tone was “overly alarming” and “undermines customer confidence.”

DHS Response

A Department of Homeland Security official, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “political gamesmanship” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the importance of reopening the government.”

Cross-Party Appeals for Resolution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “encourage cooperative actions to resolve the federal closure” and was working to find ways to support government workers unpaid during the closure.