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A number of prominent international airports across the US, among them Phoenix Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have opted to restrict a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that faults Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing federal government shutdown from airing at their checkpoint areas.

Legal Concerns Raised by Airport Authorities

Airport officials in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to broadcast the video content at screening areas, stating that the political statements could contravene federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

“Democrats in Congress refuse to finance the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration staff are working without pay,” the Secretary stated in the video.

The Port of Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority explained that it “did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we consider the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for political purposes.” 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 break Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on comparable reasons, saying in a statement that “the video's message contained political messaging that did not align with the impartial, informational nature of the PSAs usually displayed at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Explaining the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that bans political activities by government employees to ensure that public services remain impartial.

Further Airport Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport stated that it “refused to post the PSA” to stay “consistent with airport policy,” which prohibits political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also refused, citing “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not permit the video in question.” The airport also added that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any screens at its checkpoints and that its few digital screens are designated for wayfinding, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Objection

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

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county leader stated, noting that the message was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines customer confidence.”

Homeland Security Reply

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, adding that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the significance of opening the federal government.”

Cross-Party Calls for Solution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “encourage cooperative actions to end the federal closure” and was striving to identify methods to support federal employees working without pay during the closure.