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A number of key global air travel hubs across the United States, including Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in North Carolina, have chosen to restrict a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that faults Democrats for the continuing federal government shutdown from airing at their screening locations.

Regulatory Concerns Raised by Airport Officials

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have refused to display the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the clearly partisan content could contravene state and federal law, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars government workers from engaging in partisan actions.

“Democratic legislators decline to finance the federal government, and as a result, many of our activities are affected, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” the Secretary remarked in the video.

Portland Response

The Port of Portland noted that it “would not agree to airing the video in its present version, as we consider the Hatch Act clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for political purposes.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation 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 comparable reasons, stating in a statement that “its content contained political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational purpose of the PSAs usually displayed at security checkpoints” and also referenced the federal act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that forbids political activities by federal employees to guarantee that government programs stay impartial.

Additional Authority Responses

• Phoenix airport airport explained that it “refused to display the video” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which manages Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly declined, citing “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte airport said that North Carolina municipal law and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also noted that the TSA does not own any monitors at its checkpoints and that its limited display monitors are reserved for directions, flight updates, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester Objection

The county, in a public comment, described the video “unacceptable, improper, and out of line with the standards we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on security operations,” the county leader said, noting that the tone was “overly alarming” and “undermines public trust.”

Homeland Security Reply

A Department of Homeland Security official, an agency representative, echoed Noem’s wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the importance of opening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Resolution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “encourage bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and was working to find ways to support federal employees unpaid during the shutdown.