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A number of key global air travel hubs across the US, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in North Carolina, have chosen to restrict a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that faults Democratic lawmakers for the current federal government shutdown from being shown at their security checkpoints.

Regulatory Issues Cited by Airport Authorities

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to display the footage at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could breach state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act, which bars government workers from participating in political campaigning.

“Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and as a result, many of our functions are affected, and most of our TSA staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary stated in the announcement.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland noted that it “did not consent to displaying the video in its present version, as we consider the federal law explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for political purposes.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party and that agreeing to broadcast this video would break state law.

Harry Reid International Statement

The Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the security announcement on comparable reasons, stating in a statement that “the video's message included political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, educational nature of the PSAs usually displayed at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that bans political activities by government employees to guarantee that public services remain non-partisan.

Further Airport Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport explained that it “declined to post the PSA” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which manages Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also refused, citing “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte 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 noted that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its security areas and that its limited digital screens are designated for directions, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Criticism

Westchester County, in a public comment, called the PSA “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the standards we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

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

DHS Response

A DHS official, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated Noem’s language to blame “partisan tactics” in a statement, stating that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the importance of opening the federal government.”

Cross-Party Calls for Resolution

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