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Several major international airports across the America, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have chosen to prevent a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the current government closure from being shown at their checkpoint areas.

Regulatory Concerns Cited by Aviation Authorities

Airport officials in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to show the video content at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could contravene federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political campaigning.

“Congressional Democrats refuse to finance the federal government, and because of this, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration employees are unpaid,” the Secretary said in the announcement.

The Port of Portland Response

The Port of Portland clarified that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its current form, as we believe the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for partisan messaging.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this video would violate state law.

Harry Reid International Position

The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on comparable reasons, stating in a release that “its content contained partisan statements that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational nature of the PSAs usually shown at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal act.

Explaining the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that prohibits partisan actions by government employees to guarantee that public services remain unbiased.

Further Airport Responses

• Phoenix airport airport explained that it “declined to post the PSA” to stay “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which manages Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport said that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the referenced video.” The airport also added that the TSA lacks ownership of any monitors at its security areas and that its few display monitors are designated for directions, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Objection

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

“The PSA makes political the effects of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive stated, noting that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Response

A DHS assistant secretary, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's language to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democrats will soon realize the significance of opening the government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Solution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge cooperative actions to resolve the government shutdown” and was working to find methods to assist federal employees working without pay during the shutdown.