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Several key international airports across the US, including Phoenix's Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas in North Carolina, have decided to restrict a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democratic lawmakers for the continuing federal government shutdown from airing at their security checkpoints.

Legal Concerns Cited by Airport Officials

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester County have refused to show the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the overtly political messaging could breach federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act, which bars government workers from engaging in partisan actions.

“Congressional Democrats refuse to support funding for the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our activities are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary stated in the announcement.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority explained that it “did not consent to airing the video in its present version, as we believe the federal law clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law prohibits government staff from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that consenting to play this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the security announcement on comparable reasons, noting in a statement that “its content included political messaging that did not align with the neutral, informational nature of the PSAs typically displayed at security checkpoints” and also referenced the federal act.

Understanding the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that prohibits political activities by government employees to guarantee that public services stay unbiased.

Additional Authority Rejections

• Phoenix airport international airport stated that it “refused to display the PSA” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, citing “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that state local regulations and the airport's rules for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The authority also added that the TSA does not own any screens at its security areas and that its limited digital screens are reserved for wayfinding, flight updates, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester Criticism

Westchester County, in a public comment, described the video “inappropriate, improper, and out of line with the standards we expect from our federal leaders.”

“The public service announcement makes political the effects of a government closure on security operations,” the county leader stated, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes public trust.”

DHS Reply

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's language to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a statement, stating that “Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the federal government.”

Cross-Party Calls for Solution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the federal closure” and was striving to identify ways to support government workers unpaid during the closure.