Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has found herself at the center of controversy after five major airports refused to broadcast her video message about the ongoing government shutdown.
The airports declining to air the message include Portland International Airport in Oregon, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington and three New York facilities: Niagara Falls International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Westchester County Airport.
Airport officials cited the video’s political content as the reason for refusing to display it to travelers passing through TSA checkpoints.
In the video message, Noem addresses travelers directly about potential disruptions to their airport experience during the shutdown.
The recording was intended to play at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in every public airport across the United States.
“It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” Noem says in the recording.
The DHS secretary continues her message by explaining the impact on operations and personnel.
She makes clear that the shutdown has created significant challenges for the agency and its workforce.
“And because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she adds in the video that was distributed to airports nationwide last week.
Noem, whose department oversees the Transportation Security Administration, attempts to reassure travelers in the message.
She seeks to minimize concerns about travel delays while acknowledging the difficult circumstances facing federal workers.
“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel,” she states in the public service announcement.
The secretary concludes with another reference to congressional Democrats and expresses optimism about a resolution.
Her closing remarks mirror the partisan framing used at the beginning of the video.
“And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” Noem says.
The partial government shutdown commenced on Oct. 1 following a failed vote on a continuing resolution, the New York Post outlined.
The funding lapse has affected numerous federal agencies and left thousands of workers without paychecks, Resist the Mainstream has reported.
All but three Senate Democrats voted against the measure that would have maintained federal funding through Nov. 21.
The failed vote set in motion the current shutdown affecting federal operations across the country.
A Port of Seattle spokesperson explained the decision to block the video from appearing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The spokesperson made clear that the content itself was the determining factor in the decision.
“The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA airport, due to the political nature of the content,” the spokesperson told the Seattle Times.
The spokesperson added that the port continues to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown.”
Despite blocking the video, Seattle airport officials expressed support for affected federal workers.
The port indicated it was exploring options to assist TSA employees working without compensation during the funding lapse.
Portland International Airport officials raised concerns about potential legal violations.
They argued that broadcasting the video could run afoul of federal and state regulations governing political activity.
An airport official told a local ABC News affiliate that playing the video could violate the Hatch Act, which limits federal employees’ participation in certain political activities.
The 1939 law restricts partisan political activity by federal employees while on duty or in federal facilities.
“We didn’t consent to playing it, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits using public assets for political purposes and messaging,” the official stated.
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