Some airports refusing to play Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown

Airports across the country will not play a video that features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democrats, with one New York county official calling the video "inappropriate."

At least seven airports so far have refused the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) request to play a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video of Noem warning about potential changes to airport operations due to staffing limitations and TSA workers not receiving pay during the shutdown.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon confirmed with The Hill that they are not playing Noem's video.

"We did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging," a spokesperson with the Port of Portland said in a statement Tuesday.

"Additionally, Oregon law states no public employee can promote or oppose any political committee, party, or affiliation," the spokesperson said. "We believe consenting to playing this video on Port assets would violate Oregon law."

A Port of Seattle spokesperson said the video will not be played "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 [the Seattle airport] during the shutdown," the spokesperson said.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport told TV station WGRZ that neither airport will play Noem's video due to "long-standing policy codified regulations pertaining to public service advertising prohibit partisan messaging in its facilities."

Westchester County Airport in New York will also not play Noem's video. County government officials reviewed the TSA's request to play the video, "and our message is clear: it is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials," according to a statement issued Friday by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins (D).

"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," Jenkins said. "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."

The video's tone, Jenkins added, is "unnecessarily alarmist."

Elsewhere, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport told Forbes it will not play the video. Spokane International Airport confirmed with KHQ that it will also not play Noem's video. The Hill also has reached out to both airports for comment.

It's a different story at Boston Logan International Airport. Massachusetts Port Authority media relations director Jennifer Mehigan said Tuesday that the TSA has not requested the video be played there.

"Besides, there are no video screens at TSA checkpoints," Mehigan told The Hill.

In Noem's video, the secretary states that TSA workers are not receiving their pay due to the shutdown.

“It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe,” the DHS chief said in the video. “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.”

“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact you,” she continued. “Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”