🔗 Share this article American Airports Block Homeland Security PSA Blaming Democrats for Government Shutdown Several key international air travel hubs across the America, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have opted to block a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the continuing government closure from being shown at their security checkpoints. Regulatory Concerns Raised by Aviation Authorities Airport authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have refused to broadcast the footage at security checkpoints, stating that the overtly political messaging could violate state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity. “Democratic legislators decline to support funding for the federal government, and as a result, many of our functions are affected, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” Noem said 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 maintain the federal law clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that consenting to play this video would break Oregon law. Harry Reid International Position The Harry Reid airport also declined to show the security announcement on similar grounds, noting in a statement that “its content included partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, informational purpose of the PSAs usually displayed at checkpoint screens” and also cited the Hatch Act. Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations The Hatch Act is a federal law that prohibits partisan actions by government employees to guarantee that government programs remain unbiased. Further Airport Rejections Phoenix airport international airport explained that it “declined to display the video” to stay “consistent with airport guidelines,” which does not allow political content. The Seattle port authority, which operates Sea-Tac airport, also refused, citing “the political nature of the video.” Charlotte airport clarified that state local regulations and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not allow the referenced video.” The airport also added that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any screens at its checkpoints and that its limited digital screens are designated for directions, travel information, and paid advertisements. Westchester County Objection Westchester County, in a public comment, described the PSA “unacceptable, improper, and out of line with the standards we expect from our nation’s top public officials.” “The PSA politicizes the effects of a federal government shutdown on security operations,” the county executive stated, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “erodes customer confidence.” DHS Reply A Department of Homeland Security official, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's wording to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the significance of reopening the government.” Cross-Party Calls for Resolution The Seattle authority said that it continued to “encourage bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and was striving to identify ways to assist government workers unpaid during the closure.