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Several key global air travel hubs across the America, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have decided to block a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the current federal government shutdown from airing at their checkpoint areas.

Regulatory Concerns Raised by Airport Officials

Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have declined to show the footage at screening areas, stating that the overtly political messaging could breach state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbids federal employees from participating in political campaigning.

“Congressional Democrats decline to support funding for the federal government, and as a result, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” the Secretary stated in the video.

Portland Response

The Portland airport authority noted that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its present version, as we believe the federal law explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for political purposes.” The port further stated that Oregon law prohibits public employees from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the TSA video on comparable reasons, stating in a release that “its content contained political messaging that did not align with the neutral, educational nature of the PSAs typically displayed at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by federal employees to guarantee that government programs remain impartial.

Further Authority Responses

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport explained that it “declined to display the video” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Sea-Tac airport, similarly refused, citing “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also added that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any monitors at its security areas and that its few digital screens are reserved for directions, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Objection

Westchester County, in a statement, described the PSA “unacceptable, improper, and out of line with the standards we expect from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “erodes public trust.”

Homeland Security Reply

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated Noem’s wording to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a statement, adding that “Democratic leaders will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Solution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and was working to find ways to assist government workers unpaid during the closure.