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Several major global air travel hubs across the United States, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have chosen to restrict a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the continuing government closure from being shown at their security checkpoints.

Regulatory Concerns Raised by Aviation Authorities

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester County have refused to show the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the political statements could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act, which forbids federal employees from participating in partisan actions.

“Congressional Democrats decline to fund the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our functions are affected, and most of our TSA staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary remarked in the announcement.

The Port of Portland Response

The Port of Portland explained that it “did not consent to displaying the PSA in its current form, as we consider the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that consenting to play this content would break Oregon law.

Las Vegas Position

The Harry Reid airport also refused to show the TSA video on similar grounds, noting in a statement that “the video's message included partisan statements that was inconsistent with the impartial, educational purpose of the PSAs usually shown at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that bans partisan actions by government employees to guarantee that government programs stay impartial.

Further Airport Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport stated that it “refused to display the video” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which prohibits political content.
• The Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, citing “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte airport said that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not permit the video in question.” The authority also noted that the TSA does not own any screens at its checkpoints and that its limited display monitors are designated for directions, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Objection

The county, in a public comment, called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we anticipate from our nation’s top public officials.”

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county leader said, adding that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Reply

A Department of Homeland Security official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's language to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, adding that “Democrats will soon recognize the significance of reopening the government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Resolution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the government shutdown” and was working to identify ways to support government workers working without pay during the closure.