🔗 Share this article

Several key international air travel hubs across the United States, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have decided to restrict a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the current government closure from being shown at their checkpoint areas.

Regulatory Concerns Cited by Airport Officials

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have refused to broadcast the video content at screening areas, stating that the overtly political messaging could violate state and federal law, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbids federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

“Democratic legislators decline to support funding for the federal government, and because of this, many of our activities are affected, and most of our TSA workers are not receiving wages,” the Secretary remarked in the video.

The Port of Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority noted that it “would not agree to displaying the PSA in its present version, as we maintain the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” It added that Oregon law bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this video would break state law.

Harry Reid International Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the TSA video on similar grounds, noting in a release that “its content included partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, informational purpose of the public service announcements typically displayed at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a federal law that forbids political activities by government employees to ensure that public services stay impartial.

Additional Authority Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport explained that it “declined to post the video” to stay “in line with airport guidelines,” which prohibits political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Sea-Tac airport, similarly refused, pointing to “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte airport said that state local regulations and the airport's rules for digital content “do not permit the referenced video.” The authority also added that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any monitors at its security areas and that its limited digital screens are reserved for directions, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Objection

Westchester County, in a public comment, described the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and out of line with the standards we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive stated, adding that the message was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “erodes customer confidence.”

Homeland Security Response

A DHS official, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated the Secretary's language to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democrats will soon realize the importance of reopening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Resolution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the federal closure” and was striving to find methods to support federal employees working without pay during the shutdown.