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A number of key global air travel hubs across the US, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in North Carolina, have opted to block a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democrats for the current federal government shutdown from playing at their screening locations.

Regulatory Issues Cited by Aviation Officials

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester County have declined to show the video content at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could breach federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars government workers from participating in partisan actions.

“Democrats in Congress decline to support funding for the U.S. government, and as a result, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary said in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority clarified that it “would not agree to playing the video in its current form, as we consider the federal law explicitly forbids use of public assets for partisan messaging.” It added that Oregon law bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that agreeing to broadcast this content would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Position

The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the TSA video on similar grounds, stating in a release that “the video's message included partisan statements that did not align with the neutral, educational purpose of the public service announcements usually shown at security checkpoints” and also referenced the federal act.

Explaining the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that forbids partisan actions by government employees to ensure that public services stay unbiased.

Further Authority Responses

• Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport stated that it “refused to post the video” to remain “consistent with airport policy,” which does not allow political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Sea-Tac airport, also refused, citing “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law and the airport's rules for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The authority also added that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its security areas and that its few digital screens are designated for wayfinding, flight updates, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester Objection

Westchester County, in a statement, described the video “unacceptable, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive said, noting that the message was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines public trust.”

DHS Reply

A DHS assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated the Secretary's language to blame “political gamesmanship” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the importance of opening the federal government.”

Cross-Party Appeals for Solution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge cooperative actions to resolve the government shutdown” and was working to identify methods to assist federal employees working without pay during the shutdown.