🔗 Share this article American Airports Block Homeland Security PSA Faulting Democrats for Government Shutdown A number of major international air travel hubs across the United States, among them Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have decided to prevent a public service announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the continuing government closure from being shown at their checkpoint areas. Regulatory Concerns Cited by Airport Officials Aviation administrators in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester County have refused to display the video content at screening areas, stating that the clearly partisan content could violate federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars government workers from participating in political campaigning. “Congressional Democrats refuse to support funding for the federal government, and because of this, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are working without pay,” Noem remarked in the video. Portland Reaction The Port of Portland clarified that it “did not consent to airing the video in its current form, as we consider the Hatch Act explicitly forbids utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” It added that Oregon law bars government staff from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that agreeing to broadcast this content would violate state law. Las Vegas Statement Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport also refused to display the security announcement on comparable reasons, stating in a statement that “the video's message included political messaging that was inconsistent with the impartial, informational nature of the public service announcements typically shown at security checkpoints” and also cited the Hatch Act. Understanding the Hatch Act The Hatch Act of 1939 is a U.S. law that prohibits political activities by federal employees to ensure that government programs remain non-partisan. Additional Airport Responses Phoenix airport international airport explained that it “declined to post the PSA” to stay “consistent with airport policy,” which does not allow political content. The Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, similarly declined, citing “the political nature of the content.” Charlotte airport said that state local regulations and the airport's rules for screen content “do not permit the referenced video.” The airport also added that the Transportation Security Administration lacks ownership of any monitors at its security areas and that its few digital screens are reserved for directions, flight updates, and revenue-generating services. Westchester County Criticism The county, in a statement, described the PSA “inappropriate, improper, and inconsistent with the standards we expect from our nation’s top public officials.” “The PSA makes political the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA operations,” the county leader said, noting that the tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” and “undermines customer confidence.” DHS Reply A DHS official, an agency representative, echoed Noem’s wording to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democratic leaders will shortly recognize the importance of opening the federal government.” Cross-Party Calls for Resolution The Seattle authority said that it continued to “encourage bipartisan efforts to resolve the government shutdown” and was striving to identify methods to assist government workers working without pay during the closure.