Major airports refuse to show DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown

[ad_1] Main airports throughout the nation -- together with in New York Metropolis, Chicago and Atlanta -- are refusing to play a video that includes Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the impacts of the federal government shutdown.

Most of the airport representatives stated their facility's insurance policies bar the exhibiting of political content material. Some additionally pointed to the Hatch Act, a regulation that restricts the political actions of federal staff in addition to some state and native staff who're concerned in or work in federally funded applications.

The roughly 30-second video started rolling out to airports final week, in keeping with DHS.

U.S. Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem speaks throughout a roundtable on antifa, an anti-fascist motion he designated a home "terrorist group" by way of govt order on September 22, on the White Home in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 8, 2025.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

"It's TSA's prime precedence to make you may have essentially the most nice and environment friendly airport expertise as potential whereas we hold you protected," Noem says within the video. "Nonetheless, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government. And due to this, a lot of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA staff are working with out pay. We are going to proceed to do all that we will to keep away from delays that can impression your journey. And our hope is that Democrats will quickly acknowledge the significance of opening the federal government. "

Total, of the TSA's roughly 64,000 staff, greater than 61,000 are working with out pay throughout the federal government shutdown, which is now in its second week.

Democrats keep Republicans shoulder the accountability for the shutdown, arguing they should negotiate over well being care premiums as a part of an effort to return to settlement on federal spending.

Among the many airports which have declined to point out the DHS video are LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, John F. Kennedy, Charlotte Douglas Worldwide, Seattle-Tacoma, San Francisco, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O' Hare, Phoenix Worldwide and Colorado Springs.

"The Port Authority’s longstanding insurance policies forestall airing of politically partisan messages at our services, so airports should not airing the video on airport-controlled screens," The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates New York Metropolis's three main airports, stated in an announcement.

An worker with the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) strikes baggage by means of a safety screening on the Hollywood Burbank Airport throughout the first day of a partial U.S. authorities shutdown in Burbank, California, U.S., October 1, 2025.

Daniel Cole/Reuters

In an announcement, Portland Worldwide Airport, in Oregon, stated it "didn't consent to enjoying the video in its present kind, as we imagine the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public property for political functions and messaging.".

The assertion went on to say: "Moreover, Oregon regulation states no public worker can promote or oppose any political committee, social gathering, or affiliation. We imagine consenting to enjoying this video on Port property would violate Oregon regulation."

Some airports, such because the Akron-Canton airport in northeastern Ohio, stated digital video screens at their services are designated for "static content material that helps wayfinding and important journey info."

In response to a request for remark about some airports declining to play the video, DHS supplied an announcement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: "It's TSA's prime precedence to make sure that vacationers have essentially the most protected, nice and environment friendly airport expertise potential. Nonetheless, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal authorities, and due to this, most of our TSA staff are working with out pay. Whereas this creates challenges for our individuals, our safety operations stay largely unimpacted right now. It’s unlucky our workforce has been put on this place resulting from political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will quickly acknowledge the significance of opening the federal government."