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Several key global air travel hubs across the US, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have opted to block 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 checkpoint areas.

Legal Issues Raised by Aviation Officials

Airport authorities in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester County have refused to show the footage at security checkpoints, stating that the political statements could breach federal and state regulations, such as the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars federal employees from participating in political campaigning.

“Democratic legislators refuse to finance the U.S. government, and because of this, many of our functions are disrupted, and most of our TSA staff are not receiving wages,” the Secretary stated in the video.

Portland Reaction

The Portland airport authority noted that it “did not consent to airing the video in its current form, as we believe the federal law clearly prohibits use of public assets for political aims.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from supporting or criticizing any party affiliation and that agreeing to play this video would violate Oregon law.

Harry Reid International Position

The Harry Reid airport also refused to show the security announcement on similar grounds, stating in a statement that “the video's message contained partisan statements that was inconsistent with the neutral, educational purpose of the PSAs usually shown at security checkpoints” and also referenced the Hatch Act.

Explaining the Hatch Act Regulations

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that forbids partisan actions by government employees to guarantee that government programs remain non-partisan.

Further Authority Rejections

• Phoenix Sky Harbor airport stated that it “declined to display the video” to stay “in line with airport policy,” which prohibits political content.
• The Seattle port authority, which manages Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the content.”
• Charlotte airport clarified that state municipal law and the airport's rules for screen content “do not permit the video in question.” The airport also added that the TSA does not own any monitors at its checkpoints and that its limited digital screens are reserved for wayfinding, travel information, and revenue-generating services.

Westchester County Criticism

Westchester County, in a public comment, described the PSA “inappropriate, unacceptable, and out of line with the values we anticipate from our federal leaders.”

“The public service announcement makes political the impacts of a government closure on security operations,” the county executive said, noting that the tone was “overly alarming” and “undermines public trust.”

DHS Reply

A DHS assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, echoed Noem’s language to attribute fault to “partisan tactics” in a response, adding that “Democrats will soon realize the importance of reopening the federal government.”

Bipartisan Appeals for Resolution

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