🔗 Share this article US Airports Refuse Homeland Security Video Faulting Democratic Party for Government Shutdown Several major international air travel hubs across the United States, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have opted to restrict a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing government closure from playing at their security checkpoints. Regulatory Concerns Cited by Airport Authorities Airport authorities in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester County have declined to display the footage at screening areas, stating that the political statements could breach state and federal law, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars government workers from participating in partisan actions. “Congressional Democrats decline to fund the federal government, and as a result, many of our activities are affected, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” Noem stated in the video. Portland Response The Portland airport authority noted that it “would not agree to displaying the video in its present version, as we maintain the Hatch Act explicitly forbids use of public assets for political purposes.” It added that Oregon law prohibits public employees from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that agreeing to play this video would violate state law. Las Vegas Statement Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also refused to show the security announcement on similar grounds, saying in a release that “the video's message included political messaging that was inconsistent with the neutral, informational nature of the PSAs usually shown at security checkpoints” and also cited the Hatch Act. Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that forbids political activities by federal employees to ensure that public services stay impartial. Further Airport Rejections Phoenix airport airport explained that it “declined to display the PSA” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material. The Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac airport, also declined, citing “the partisan tone of the video.” Charlotte airport said that state local regulations and the airport's rules for screen content “do not permit the video in question.” The authority also noted that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any monitors at its security areas and that its few display monitors are reserved for directions, travel information, and revenue-generating services. Westchester County Objection The county, in a public comment, described the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and out of line with the values we anticipate from our nation’s top public officials.” “The PSA politicizes the effects of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county leader stated, adding that the tone was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.” DHS Response A Department of Homeland Security official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed Noem’s language to attribute fault to “political gamesmanship” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.” Cross-Party Appeals for Resolution The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “encourage bipartisan efforts to resolve the federal closure” and was striving to identify ways to support government workers working without pay during the shutdown.