Several major U.S. airports have declined to air a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in which she blames congressional Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and any resulting travel disruptions.
According to The Washington Post, airports in Buffalo, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland, Ohio; Los Angeles; Phoenix; Seattle; and Portland, Ore., determined that the video could violate internal policies prohibiting political messaging, as well as state and federal laws restricting the use of public facilities for political purposes.
In the message, Noem, 53, says, “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe.”
She continues, “However, Democrats in Congress refused to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
Molly Prescott, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland — which operates Portland International Airport — told The Post, “We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging.”
The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, “limits certain political activities of federal employees, as well as some state, D.C., and local government employees who work in connection with federally funded programs,” according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
Prescott added that this was the first time the Port had declined to play a video, noting that Oregon state law also bans the use of public resources for political messaging.
A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle told KOMO News that “the Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA airport due to the political nature of the content,” adding that officials “continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown” and are exploring ways to support federal employees working without pay.
During the shutdown, TSA agents and other federal employees have remained on duty but are not receiving pay. On Sunday, Oct. 12, nearly 8,000 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed, and another 271 were canceled, according to FlightAware.
The shutdown began almost two weeks ago after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.
