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These Airports Won’t Play Kristi Noem’s Video Blaming Democrats For Government Shutdown
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.
- 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.
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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
The Port of Seattle and the Port of Portland have declined to broadcast the video at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport.
The Port of Portland 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.”
Airports in Cleveland and Akron-Canton, Ohio, confirmed receiving the video but said they had not decided whether to play it.
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The message from Noem is spot on. No sense in letting the truth escape into the masses!
The message from Noem is spot on. No sense in letting the truth escape into the masses!
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