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Several key international airports across the America, such as Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have chosen to prevent a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the current federal government shutdown from airing at their screening locations.

Regulatory Issues Cited by Airport Officials

Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have declined to broadcast the video content at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act, which forbids government workers from engaging in political campaigning.

“Congressional Democrats refuse 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 not receiving wages,” Noem remarked in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland noted that it “would not agree to displaying the PSA in its present version, as we maintain the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes.” It added that Oregon law bars government staff from promoting or opposing any political party and that agreeing to play this content would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

The Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the TSA video on similar grounds, saying in a release that “its content included political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational purpose of the public service announcements usually displayed at security checkpoints” and also cited the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that bans political activities by government employees to ensure that public services stay unbiased.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport explained that it “declined to display the video” to remain “in line with airport policy,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Sea-Tac airport, similarly declined, citing “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport clarified that state municipal law and the airport's rules for digital content “do not permit the referenced video.” The airport also added that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its checkpoints and that its limited digital screens are designated for directions, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Criticism

The county, in a public comment, called the video “unacceptable, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.”

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county leader stated, noting that the tone was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Reply

A Department of Homeland Security official, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's language to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democratic leaders will soon recognize the importance of opening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Solution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and was striving to identify methods to assist federal employees unpaid during the closure.