U.S. Airports Reject Homeland Security Chief’s Partisan Shutdown Video

Several major U.S. airports have refused to air a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and resulting travel disruptions, citing concerns over its overtly political content.

The controversial video, first obtained by Fox News, was intended for display near Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening lines. In the message, Noem states that TSA prioritizes efficient and safe airport experiences but claims “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.”

Portland International Airport was among the first to decline the request. Kara Hansen, spokesperson for the Port of Portland, confirmed the decision, stating: “We did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging.” Hansen added that Oregon law specifically prohibits public employees from promoting political positions, noting this was the first time the airport had refused to play a TSA-requested video.

Other major transportation hubs quickly followed suit. Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, Charlotte Douglas International, and several New York airports all rejected the video. Officials in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Phoenix also informed The Washington Post that airing the partisan message could potentially violate internal policies and various laws.

Luke Nimmo, spokesperson for Harry Reid International, explained their decision was based on the video containing “political messaging that did not align with the neutral, informational nature of the public service announcements typically shown at security checkpoints.” He emphasized that airport terminals are not designated public forums, and they aim to avoid using the facility for political advocacy.

The Hatch Act of 1939, which prevents federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty, was frequently cited by airport officials as justification for their refusal. Many also pointed to state and local regulations that similarly prohibit partisan messaging on public property during working hours.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins called Noem’s message “unnecessarily alarmist” and “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials” in a statement released Friday. “At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration, and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues and undermines public trust,” Jenkins wrote.

The controversy comes at a particularly difficult moment for the air travel industry. The shutdown, now in its second week, has left thousands of TSA agents and other federal workers performing essential duties without pay. U.S. airports are experiencing significant disruptions, with FlightAware reporting more than 8,000 flight delays and over 1,000 cancellations on Monday alone, followed by nearly 1,300 additional delays and 563 cancellations by late Tuesday morning.

Airport officials noted that while welcome messages from homeland security leaders at checkpoints are common practice, they typically focus on security procedures and travel tips rather than partisan political statements. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which operates airports in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, told reporters their decision reflected a “long-standing policy” against partisan content.

As the shutdown continues with no immediate resolution in sight, the rejected video represents another flashpoint in the increasingly contentious political battle over government funding. It remains unclear whether any U.S. airports have agreed to display Noem’s message, though reports suggest widespread rejection of what many see as an inappropriate attempt to introduce partisan messaging into the already strained travel environment.