US Air Hubs Refuse Kristi Noem PSA Blaming Democrats for Federal Closure

A number of major global air travel hubs across the US, such as Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have chosen to prevent a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democrats for the continuing federal government shutdown from airing at their checkpoint areas.

Regulatory Issues Cited by Airport Officials

Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester, New York have declined to broadcast the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the overtly political messaging could contravene federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars federal employees from participating 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 TSA staff are working without pay,” the Secretary stated in the video.

Portland Response

The Portland airport authority explained that it “would not agree to displaying the video in its current form, as we maintain the federal law explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon prohibits public employees from promoting or opposing any party affiliation and that agreeing to broadcast this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

The Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the security announcement on similar grounds, stating in a release that “the video's message contained partisan statements that did not align with the neutral, educational purpose of the public service announcements typically shown at security checkpoints” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

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

Further Airport Rejections

• Phoenix airport airport stated that it “declined to post the video” to stay “in line with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the referenced video.” The authority also noted that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any screens at its security areas and that its limited display monitors are reserved for wayfinding, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Objection

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

“The PSA makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines public trust.”

DHS Reply

A Department of Homeland Security official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democrats will shortly recognize the significance of opening the government.”

Cross-Party Calls for Resolution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the federal closure” and was striving to find ways to assist federal employees working without pay during the closure.