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A number of major global airports across the US, such as Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have chosen to block a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that faults Democrats for the current federal government shutdown from playing at their security checkpoints.

Regulatory Concerns Raised by Aviation Officials

Airport officials in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have declined to display the footage at screening areas, stating that the political statements could contravene federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from participating in political campaigning.

“Democrats in Congress decline to support funding for the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our functions are impacted, and most of our TSA workers are working without pay,” Noem remarked in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland noted that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its current form, as we believe the federal law explicitly forbids use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party and that consenting to play this video would break Oregon law.

Las Vegas Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also declined to display the security announcement on similar grounds, saying in a statement that “its content contained partisan statements that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational purpose of the PSAs usually shown at security checkpoints” and also cited the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that forbids partisan actions by federal employees to ensure that public services remain non-partisan.

Additional Authority Responses

• Phoenix airport airport explained that it “declined to post the PSA” to remain “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly refused, pointing to “the partisan tone of the video.”
• Charlotte airport said that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the referenced video.” The airport also added that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any screens at its security areas and that its limited digital screens are designated for wayfinding, travel information, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Criticism

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

“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a government closure on security operations,” the county leader stated, adding that the message was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “erodes customer confidence.”

DHS Reply

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

Cross-Party Calls for Resolution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the federal closure” and was working to identify ways to support government workers working without pay during the shutdown.