Airports across more than six U.S. markets have opted not to air a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, which casts blame on congressional Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and its potential impact on travel delays. Local authorities expressed concerns regarding the political nature of the video and its compliance with internal policies and laws that restrict the use of public resources for political purposes.
Officials from airports serving cities such as Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Portland highlighted that airing the video could violate the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty to ensure nonpartisan administration of federal programs. Molly Prescott, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland, noted, “We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes.”
Additional regulations at the state level also prevent public employees from advocating or opposing political entities during work hours. Prescott remarked that this was the first instance the Port had chosen not to display such a video.
Westchester County, located just north of New York City, also refused to show the video, with County Executive Ken Jenkins criticizing its content as “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials” and labeling it “unnecessarily alarmist.”
While many airports typically broadcast messages from the homeland security chief focusing on safety and procedural updates, experts noted that Noem’s recent video took an unusual and explicitly partisan tone. Notably, TSA mandates topics such as the need for a Real ID for domestic flights, which are standard fare in previous messages.
In the video, Noem stated, “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted.” She emphasized the commitment to minimize travel delays but called upon Democrats to prioritize government reopening.
In response to inquiries, a representative from the Department of Homeland Security reiterated Noem’s message, highlighting that despite the challenges, security operations remain significantly unaffected for the time being.
Industry analysts have noted that Noem’s approach lacks precedent, creating discomfort among airport and TSA officials over whether to comply with airing politically charged content. Rob Britton, a former American Airlines executive, pointed out that the situation puts publicly operated airports in a challenging position, as they might face legal scrutiny while also needing to navigate relationships with federal entities from which they receive substantial funding.
The decision not to air the video can be seen as a significant stance by various airports, reflecting a careful consideration on balancing legal compliance with federal relations in a politically charged environment. This situation underscores the complexity public institutions face amid government-related tensions, yet it also elevates the importance of maintaining nonpartisan governance in operational matters.