Airports across the U.S. are refusing to play a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impact on TSA operations, citing policies against political content.
Airports nationwide, including major facilities in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Seattle, are declining to broadcast a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In the video, Noem blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its resulting effects on TSA operations, noting that many TSA employees are working without pay because 'Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government.' Airports are citing various reasons for their refusal, primarily their internal policies and regulations that prohibit political messaging within their facilities. Concerns about potential violations of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts political activities by federal employees, have also been raised. For instance, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas referenced the Hatch Act and its non-public forum designation, while Salt Lake City International Airport cited a state law against using city-owned property for political purposes. Westchester County Airport also deemed the video 'inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,' and 'unnecessarily alarmist.' Many airport officials expressed a desire to remain neutral and avoid partisan politics. The broader political context involves various government agencies adopting language that blames Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over funding and health care demands.
