Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, has released a video addressing travelers regarding the federal government shutdown, but it is not being broadcasted in at least five airports because of its political content, which implicates Democrats in the funding lapse.
Airports such as Portland International (Oregon), Seattle-Tacoma International (Washington), and three airports in New York—Niagara Falls International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Westchester County Airport—have opted not to show Noem’s video, deeming it “political” and “inappropriate,” as reported by multiple sources including reports.
Noem states in the video, “It is the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) top priority to ensure a pleasant and efficient travel experience while maintaining your safety. However, Democrats in Congress have refused to fund the federal government.” This PSA, which was intended to air at every TSA checkpoint across the nation during the government shutdown, highlights the effects of the funding lapse.
“Consequently, many operations are affected, and the majority of our TSA workforce is currently working without compensation,” she adds.
As the head of the TSA, Noem distributed the video to airports last week.
“We will do everything possible to prevent delays that affect your travel,” Noem adds. “Our hope is that Democrats will recognize the urgency of re-opening the government.”
The government shutdown commenced on October 1, following a refusal by nearly all Senate Democrats to vote for a continuing resolution that would have sustained funding until November 21.
A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle remarked that the “political nature” of Noem’s message is the reason it will not be broadcast at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“The Port of Seattle will not air the video on screens at SEA airport due to its political content,” the spokesperson stated to the Seattle Times, further emphasizing calls for bipartisan resolution to the shutdown and the commitment to supporting federal employees who are working without pay during this period.
Officials at Portland International Airport expressed concerns that the video may violate the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from participating in specific political activities.
“We have chosen not to play it, as we believe the Hatch Act prohibits the use of public resources for political messaging,” an official explained to a local ABC News affiliate.
“Oregon law also bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political committee, party, or affiliation. Allowing the video to be played would violate state law,” the official added.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins criticized Noem’s message as “inappropriate, unacceptable, and contradictory to the standards we expect from public officials.” He stated that the PSA politicizes the hazards posed by a federal government shutdown on TSA operations, calling its tone unnecessarily alarmist especially concerning Westchester County Airport.
“At this juncture, we should prioritize stability, collaboration, and preparedness. This type of communication detracts from fundamental issues and erodes public trust,” explained Jenkins, a Democrat, in a statement. “This video will not be shown at Westchester County Airport.”
The spokesperson for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), which manages both Niagara Falls International and Buffalo Niagara International Airports, indicated that the video contradicts the NFTA’s “long-standing policy” prohibiting “partisan messaging in its facilities.”
“As such, we are not airing this video on airport-controlled screens,” the NFTA spokesperson stated to a local NBC News affiliate in western New York.
A DHS representative told The Post that Noem’s public service announcement “is being circulated in airports nationwide.”
