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Several prominent global airports across the US, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have chosen to block a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the current federal government shutdown from being shown at their screening locations.

Legal Issues Cited by Airport Authorities

Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester County have declined to display the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the overtly political messaging could violate federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbids federal employees from participating in partisan actions.

“Democrats in Congress refuse to support funding for the federal government, and because of this, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” Noem said in the video.

Portland Response

The Portland airport authority clarified that it “would not agree to playing the PSA in its present version, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law prohibits government staff from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this video would violate state law.

Harry Reid International Statement

The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the security announcement on similar grounds, saying in a statement that “the video's message contained political messaging that did not align with the impartial, educational purpose of the public service announcements usually displayed at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by federal employees to guarantee that government programs stay unbiased.

Further Authority Responses

• Phoenix airport airport explained that it “refused to post the PSA” to remain “in line with airport policy,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Sea-Tac airport, also refused, pointing to “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 airport also added that the TSA does not own any monitors at its checkpoints and that its limited digital screens are reserved for wayfinding, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester Objection

The county, in a statement, called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and out of line with the values we expect from our federal leaders.”

“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county leader said, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Reply

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, an agency representative, repeated the Secretary's wording to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the significance of opening the government.”

Cross-Party Appeals for Resolution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to end the federal closure” and was striving to find methods to support government workers working without pay during the closure.