🔗 Share this article US Airports Block Homeland Security Video Blaming Democratic Party for Government Shutdown A number of key global airports across the United States, among them Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have decided to restrict a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that faults Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown from airing at their screening locations. Legal Issues Cited by Airport Officials Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to broadcast the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the clearly partisan content could contravene federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in partisan actions. “Democratic legislators decline to finance the U.S. government, and as a result, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our TSA workers are unpaid,” Noem said in the video. Portland Response The Port of Portland noted that it “would not agree to playing the PSA in its present version, as we believe the Hatch Act explicitly forbids use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars government staff from promoting or opposing any political party and that agreeing to play this video would violate state law. Harry Reid International Position The Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the TSA video on similar grounds, noting in a release that “the video's message contained partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, educational nature of the PSAs typically displayed at security checkpoints” and also referenced the Hatch Act. Explaining the Hatch Act The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that bans political activities by federal employees to ensure that public services remain unbiased. Additional Airport Rejections Phoenix Sky Harbor airport stated that it “refused to display the PSA” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material. The Seattle port authority, which manages Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly refused, citing “the partisan tone of the content.” Charlotte airport clarified that state local regulations and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also added that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its checkpoints and that its limited display monitors are designated for wayfinding, travel information, and paid advertisements. Westchester Objection The county, in a statement, called the PSA “inappropriate, improper, and out of line with the values we expect from our federal leaders.” “The PSA politicizes the impacts of a government closure on security operations,” the county leader said, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “undermines public trust.” DHS Reply A Department of Homeland Security official, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated Noem’s language to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the importance of opening the government.” Cross-Party Appeals for Solution The Seattle authority commented that it continued to “urge cooperative actions to end the federal closure” and was working to identify methods to support federal employees unpaid during the closure.