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A number of key international airports across the America, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have decided to restrict a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing federal government shutdown from being shown at their security checkpoints.

Regulatory Concerns Cited by Airport Authorities

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have declined to display the video content at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbids federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

“Democratic legislators decline to finance the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our Transportation Security Administration staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary said in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland clarified that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its present version, as we consider the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any political party and that agreeing to play this video would violate Oregon law.

Las Vegas Position

The Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the TSA video on similar grounds, stating in a release that “its content included political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational nature of the public service announcements usually shown at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that bans political activities by government employees to ensure that government programs remain impartial.

Additional Authority Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport stated that it “refused to display the PSA” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Sea-Tac airport, also refused, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport said that state local regulations and the airport's rules for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The authority also added that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any screens at its checkpoints and that its few display monitors are designated for wayfinding, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Objection

Westchester County, in a statement, called the video “unacceptable, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the standards we anticipate from our nation’s top public officials.”

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a government closure on security operations,” the county leader said, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “undermines public trust.”

Homeland Security Reply

A Department of Homeland Security official, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's wording to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a statement, adding that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the significance of reopening the government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Solution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the government shutdown” and was striving to find ways to assist government workers working without pay during the shutdown.