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Several major international air travel hubs across the US, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have opted to prevent a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that faults Democrats for the continuing government closure from airing at their checkpoint areas.

Regulatory Issues Cited by Aviation Authorities

Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester County have declined to show the footage at screening areas, stating that the overtly political messaging could breach state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act, which prohibits government workers from engaging in partisan political activity.

“Congressional Democrats refuse to finance the federal government, and as a result, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” Noem remarked in the announcement.

Portland Reaction

The Port of Portland clarified that it “did not consent to displaying the PSA in its present version, as we maintain the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” It added that state regulations in Oregon bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any political party and that consenting to broadcast this video would break Oregon law.

Las Vegas Position

The Harry Reid International Airport also declined to display the TSA video on similar grounds, saying in a statement that “the video's message included partisan statements that was inconsistent with the impartial, educational nature of the public service announcements usually shown at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that bans political activities by government employees to guarantee that government programs stay non-partisan.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix airport airport stated that it “declined to display the video” to remain “consistent with airport policy,” which prohibits partisan material.
• The Seattle port authority, which operates Sea-Tac airport, similarly refused, pointing to “the political nature of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina municipal law and the airport's rules for digital content “do not permit the referenced video.” The authority also noted that the TSA lacks ownership of any screens at its security areas and that its few display monitors are designated for directions, flight updates, and paid advertisements.

Westchester County Criticism

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

“The PSA politicizes the effects of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county leader stated, noting that the message was “overly alarming” and “undermines public trust.”

Homeland Security Reply

A DHS assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed Noem’s language to blame “partisan tactics” in a response, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon realize the significance of opening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Resolution

The Port of Seattle commented that it continued to “urge cooperative actions to resolve the federal closure” and was working to find methods to assist federal employees unpaid during the closure.