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A number of key global air travel hubs across the America, including Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have opted to block a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing federal government shutdown from airing at their screening locations.

Legal Issues Cited by Aviation Officials

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to broadcast the footage at security checkpoints, stating that the clearly partisan content could violate state and federal law, including the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

“Congressional Democrats decline to finance the U.S. government, and as a result, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” the Secretary said in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority explained that it “did not consent to displaying the PSA in its current form, as we maintain the Hatch Act clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars government staff from promoting or opposing any party affiliation and that consenting to play this video would break state law.

Harry Reid International Position

Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on comparable reasons, saying in a release that “the video's message included partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, informational purpose of the PSAs usually shown at security checkpoints” and also referenced the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act is a federal law that bans partisan actions by government employees to ensure that government programs stay impartial.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport stated that it “declined to display the video” to remain “in line with airport policy,” which prohibits political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport said that state municipal law and the airport's rules for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also noted that the TSA does not own any monitors at its security areas and that its limited display monitors are designated for wayfinding, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Objection

Westchester County, in a statement, called the video “unacceptable, improper, and out of line with the values we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The public service announcement politicizes the effects of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county leader said, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Reply

A DHS official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's language to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the importance of reopening the government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Resolution

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