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A number of major global airports across the United States, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas in NC, have decided to prevent a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democratic lawmakers for the continuing government closure from playing at their screening locations.

Regulatory Concerns Cited by Aviation Authorities

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Charlotte, and Westchester, New York have refused to show the footage at screening areas, stating that the overtly political messaging could breach federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits federal employees from participating in political campaigning.

“Congressional Democrats refuse to finance the federal government, and as a result, many of our operations are affected, and most of our TSA employees are not receiving wages,” Noem said in the video.

The Port of Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority explained that it “did not consent to displaying the PSA in its present version, as we maintain the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for partisan messaging.” The port further stated that state regulations in Oregon bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that agreeing to broadcast this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Statement

Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also declined to show the TSA video on comparable reasons, saying in a statement that “its content included partisan statements that did not align with the impartial, educational purpose of the PSAs typically displayed at security checkpoints” and also cited the federal act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act is a U.S. law that prohibits partisan actions by government employees to ensure that government programs remain impartial.

Further Authority Responses

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport explained that it “declined to display the video” to remain “in line with airport guidelines,” which does not allow political content.
• The Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac airport, also declined, pointing to “the political nature of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that state local regulations and the airport’s policy for digital content “do not permit 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 reserved for wayfinding, flight updates, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester Objection

Westchester County, in a statement, called the video “unacceptable, improper, and out of line with the values we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The public service announcement makes political the effects of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines customer confidence.”

DHS Response

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, an agency representative, echoed the Secretary's wording to blame “partisan tactics” in a statement, stating that “Democratic leaders will soon recognize the significance of opening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Calls for Resolution

The Port of Seattle said that it continued to “urge bipartisan efforts to resolve the government shutdown” and was working to find methods to assist government workers unpaid during the shutdown.