🔗 Share this article American Air Hubs Refuse Kristi Noem PSA Faulting Democratic Party for Government Shutdown Several key international air travel hubs across the United States, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have decided to block a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing federal government shutdown from playing at their security checkpoints. Legal Issues Raised by Airport Authorities Airport officials in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have declined to show the video content at security checkpoints, stating that the clearly partisan content could contravene state and federal law, such as the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from participating in political campaigning. “Democratic legislators refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are unpaid,” the Secretary remarked in the video. Portland Reaction The Portland airport authority explained that it “would not agree to playing the PSA in its present version, as we believe the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars public employees from promoting or opposing any party affiliation and that agreeing to play this video would break Oregon law. Las Vegas Statement Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also declined to display the security announcement on similar grounds, saying in a statement that “its content contained partisan statements that was inconsistent with the impartial, educational nature of the PSAs typically shown at security checkpoints” and also cited the Hatch Act. Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that forbids political activities by federal employees to ensure that government programs remain unbiased. Further Authority Rejections Phoenix airport airport explained that it “declined to display the PSA” to remain “in line with airport policy,” which does not allow political content. The Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac airport, similarly refused, citing “the partisan tone of the video.” Charlotte Douglas International Airport clarified that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not allow the video in question.” The airport also noted that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any screens at its checkpoints and that its few digital screens are reserved for wayfinding, travel information, and paid advertisements. Westchester Objection Westchester County, in a public comment, called the video “unacceptable, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the standards we anticipate from our nation’s top public officials.” “The PSA makes political the effects of a government closure on security operations,” the county leader said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines customer confidence.” Homeland Security Response A DHS official, an agency representative, echoed Noem’s wording to blame “political gamesmanship” in a statement, adding that “Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.” Cross-Party Appeals for Resolution The Seattle authority said that it continued to “urge cooperative actions to end the federal closure” and was striving to find ways to support federal employees unpaid during the closure.