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Several major international airports across the US, among them Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have decided to block a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the ongoing government closure from being shown at their security checkpoints.

Legal Concerns Raised by Airport Authorities

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, 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, including the Hatch Act, which prohibits government workers from participating in partisan actions.

“Democratic legislators decline to fund the federal government, and as a result, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration employees are not receiving wages,” Noem said in the announcement.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority clarified that it “did not consent to airing the PSA in its current form, as we consider the federal law explicitly forbids use of public assets for partisan messaging.” The port further stated that Oregon law prohibits government staff from supporting or criticizing any political party and that agreeing to play this content would violate state law.

Harry Reid International Position

The Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the security announcement on similar grounds, stating in a statement that “the video's message included partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, educational nature of the PSAs usually displayed at security checkpoints” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by federal employees to ensure that public services stay impartial.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport explained that it “refused to post the PSA” to remain “consistent with airport policy,” which does not allow political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law 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 screens at its checkpoints and that its few display monitors are designated for directions, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Objection

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

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a federal government shutdown on security operations,” the county leader said, noting that the message was “overly alarming” and “undermines customer confidence.”

DHS Response

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a statement, adding that “Democrats will shortly realize the significance of reopening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Resolution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “encourage bipartisan efforts to end the federal closure” and was working to identify methods to assist federal employees unpaid during the shutdown.