Several major U.S. airports have refused to play a video message from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown — an unusual clash that underscores how deeply partisan politics has seeped into even the most routine parts of public life, like waiting in line at airport security.
The TSA Video Lays The Blame For The Shutdown on the Dems
The video, produced by the Department of Homeland Security and obtained by Fox News last week, was intended to play on monitors at TSA checkpoints nationwide. In it, Noem tells travelers, “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 goes on to claim that “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” adding that “many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.”
Major Airports Are Refusing To Run The Clip
Clouds start to move in as an American Airlines jet prepares to land at Sky Harbor International Airport on Oct. 9, 2025. A wave of tropical moisture tied to the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla is expected to bring steady rain and possible flooding to Phoenix.
Airports in several major cities—including Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and multiple facilities in New York—have declined to air the message. Airport officials cited a mix of state laws, local policies, and ethical concerns about airing overtly political content in government facilities. At Portland International Airport, spokesperson Molly Prescott said the Port of Portland “did not consent to playing the video in its current form,” arguing that it violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that prohibits the use of public resources for partisan political purposes. Oregon state law, she added, also bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport made a similar call, saying it would not air the video “due to the political nature of the content” as it seeks to use public spaces to “amplify partisan blame.”
TSA Doesn’t Own The Monitors The Videos Play On
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference at Nashville International Airport announcing new express TSA lanes for military families as part of the “Serve With Honor, Travel With Ease” initiative Thursday, July 17, 2025.
At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, officials pointed out that TSA doesn’t actually own the monitors at its checkpoints and said the message violates both municipal policy and North Carolina law. Airports in Westchester County and western New York also refused to play the clip, calling it “alarmist” and inconsistent with their commitment to neutrality.
Red States Are Refusing To Play The Video Too
Visitors tour Pittsburgh International Airport’s new landslide terminal on Oct. 11, 2025.
Even in politically divided states, the reaction was largely the same. Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport said it “declined” to play the message because it “did not align with the neutral, informational nature” of typical TSA announcements. Phoenix Sky Harbor International cited a similar policy banning political content altogether.
DHS Continues To Blame The Dems
In response, the Department of Homeland Security doubled down, issuing a statement Tuesday that repeated Noem’s claim that “Democrats are responsible for the shutdown.” The department said that while operations “remain largely unimpacted,” it was “unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship.”
