A new video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown is playing at airport security checkpoints across the U.S.
The message appears on screens at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
“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,” Noem says in the video.
Highlights
- A new video of Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown plays at TSA airport security checkpoints nationwide.
- The video claims Democrats' refusal to fund the government impacts TSA operations and forces employees to work without pay.
- Several airports, including Seattle and Portland, refused to play the video, citing violations of the Hatch Act and state laws.
A new video in which Kristi Noem blames Democrats for the government shutdown is playing at airports
Image credits: Donlemonofficial/Instagram
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse 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.”
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the video rollout, calling it a “public service video.”
“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,” the video concludes.
Fox News first obtained the video.
TSA videos typically feature announcements from officials about security procedures or greetings to travelers. They rarely contain overt political statements.
It is so unusual that it has been compared to tactics used in authoritarian states or third-world dictatorships by viewers online.
The video is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to assign blame to Democrats for the shutdown, which began on October 1 after lawmakers failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Flight delays and staffing shortages have grown as the shutdown extends into its second week.
Not all airports are complying with the federal request to play the message.
Some airports say the message violates the Hatch Act
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Five airports, including Oregon's Portland International Airport, Washington’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, New York's Niagara Falls International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Westchester County Airport, have declined to broadcast the video.
The Port of Portland, which operates Portland International Airport, said the video would violate state and federal laws that prohibit using public assets to send a partisan message.
“The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA airport, due to the political nature of the content. We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown,” a spokesperson for the Port of Seattle said.
They further said the video might violate the Hatch Act.
Image credits: Alex Milan Tracy/Getty Images
The Hatch Act is a 1939 federal law that limits the political activities of federal employees to ensure that programs are run in a nonpartisan manner.
“We didn’t consent to playing it, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits using public assets for political purposes and messaging,” the spokesperson said.
“Additionally, Oregon law states that no public employee can promote or oppose any political committee, party, or affiliation. We believe consenting to playing this video on Port assets would violate Oregon law.”
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said they refused to play the video because Noem’s message is “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.”
“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA Operations, and the County finds the tone to be unnecessarily alarmist – particularly as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport,” Jenkins said in a statement. “This video will not be displayed at Westchester County Airport.”
Ken Jenkins said Noem’s message is ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unacceptable’
Image credits: Ken Jenkins NY/Facebook
“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he added. “As County Executive, I believe our residents deserve clear, honest and nonpartisan communication — especially when it comes to national security, government shutdown impacts, and public safety.”
Airports in Cleveland and Akron-Canton, Ohio, confirmed receiving the video but said they had not decided whether to play it.
This article was updated at 3:30 a.m. ET on October 14 to reflect the latest airports boycotting the video.