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A number of prominent global air travel hubs across the US, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have opted to block a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democratic lawmakers for the continuing federal government shutdown from airing at their security checkpoints.

Legal Issues Raised by Aviation Authorities

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have declined to display the video content at screening areas, stating that the political statements could breach state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars government workers from participating in partisan political activity.

“Democrats in Congress refuse to support funding for the federal government, and as a result, many of our functions are affected, and most of our TSA staff are unpaid,” the Secretary remarked in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority noted that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its current form, as we consider the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” It added that Oregon law prohibits public employees from promoting or opposing any political party and that consenting to play this content would break state law.

Las Vegas Position

The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on similar grounds, stating in a release that “the video's message included political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational nature of the PSAs typically displayed at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that forbids partisan actions by federal employees to ensure that public services stay impartial.

Further Airport Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport stated that it “refused to post the PSA” to remain “consistent with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also refused, citing “the partisan tone of the video.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport said that North Carolina municipal law and the airport's rules for digital content “do not permit the referenced video.” The authority also noted that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any monitors at its checkpoints and that its limited display monitors are reserved for directions, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Criticism

The county, in a public comment, called the video “inappropriate, improper, and out of line with the values we expect from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on security operations,” the county leader said, adding that the message was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines customer confidence.”

Homeland Security Response

A DHS official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed Noem’s language to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democrats will soon realize the importance of reopening the government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Solution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and was working to identify methods to assist government workers unpaid during the closure.