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A number of key global airports across the America, such as Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have opted to block a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democrats for the current federal government shutdown from playing at their screening locations.

Legal Issues Raised by Airport Authorities

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester County have refused to display the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the overtly political messaging could breach federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act, which bars government workers from participating in political campaigning.

“Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our operations are affected, and most of our Transportation Security Administration workers are not receiving wages,” Noem said in the video.

The Port of Portland Response

The Portland airport authority clarified that it “did not consent to playing the PSA in its present version, as we maintain the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon prohibits public employees from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to play this content would break Oregon law.

Las Vegas Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the TSA video on similar grounds, saying in a release that “the video's message contained partisan statements that did not align with the neutral, informational purpose of the PSAs typically displayed at checkpoint screens” and also cited the federal act.

Explaining the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by federal employees to guarantee that government programs remain non-partisan.

Additional Airport Responses

• Phoenix airport airport explained that it “declined to display the PSA” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also refused, citing “the political nature of the video.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not allow the referenced video.” The airport also noted that the TSA does not own any screens at its checkpoints and that its limited display monitors are designated for wayfinding, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Objection

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

“The public service announcement makes political the effects of a government closure on security operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines public trust.”

Homeland Security Response

A Department of Homeland Security official, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democrats will soon realize the importance of reopening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Solution

The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the federal closure” and was striving to identify ways to assist federal employees working without pay during the shutdown.