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Several prominent global air travel hubs across the US, including Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have decided to restrict 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.

Legal Issues Raised by Aviation Authorities

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have declined to show the footage 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 participating in political campaigning.

“Congressional Democrats decline to support funding for the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration workers are working without pay,” the Secretary remarked in the announcement.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland clarified that it “did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we consider the Hatch Act explicitly forbids use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law prohibits government staff from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this video would break Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Position

The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on similar grounds, noting in a release that “the video's message contained political messaging that did not align with the neutral, educational purpose of the public service announcements typically shown at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that prohibits partisan actions by federal employees to ensure that public services remain impartial.

Additional Airport Responses

• Phoenix airport international airport stated that it “declined to display the video” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Sea-Tac airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that state municipal law and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also noted that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any monitors at its checkpoints and that its few display monitors are reserved for directions, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Criticism

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

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on security operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “overly alarming” and “undermines customer confidence.”

Homeland Security Reply

A DHS official, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated Noem’s language to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, stating that “Democrats will soon recognize the significance of reopening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Solution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “encourage cooperative actions to resolve the federal closure” and was striving to find methods to support federal employees unpaid during the closure.