U.S. Airports push back, refuse to play Noem “Shutdown Blame” video at TSA checkpoints
(October 15, 2025) In a high‑stakes clash over political messaging in public spaces, a growing number of U.S. airports have declined requests by the Department of Homeland Security to broadcast a video by Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames congressional Democrats for the current government shutdown.
In her slanted video, Noem warns travelers that “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” which she says has hampered operations and forced many Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees to continue working without pay. The video frames the shutdown as a partisan failure and urges resolution, according to The Business Insider.
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“It is TSA’s top priority to make you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe,” Noem says in the video. “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the 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 your travel. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.” ~ ABC News
But, airport authorities in Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, and several New York and California airports have pushed back. They argue the video violates long‑standing rules against displaying partisan political content in public facilities, and that it may contravene federal law—specifically the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from engaging in overtly political activity while on duty, according to The Washington Post.
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In Portland, the Port of Portland said it “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.” ~ The Guardian
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Meanwhile, Charlotte Douglas International Airport pointed out that TSA does not own monitors at its security checkpoints and that its limited screens are reserved for travel‑related or revenue content. The airport also cited local municipal laws banning political messaging in public facilities.
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Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports similarly declined, citing internal advertising guidelines that bar content which “endorses or opposes any named political party.” ~ NBC Chicago
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And airports in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose) said they won’t play the video because it violates either state, federal, or internal rules disallowing political messaging, according to ABC-7 in San Francisco.
The central legal question is whether the video constitutes a violation of the Hatch Act of 1939, which aims to prevent federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity in their official capacities. Critics argue that broadcasting Noem’s message via TSA checkpoints—where federal authority is present—crosses the line into partisan propaganda.
Some airports also point to state and municipal laws that bar public agencies or public employees from promoting or opposing political parties. For example, Oregon law forbids public employees from promoting or opposing any political affiliation, a standard the Portland Port Authority cited.
From an ethical standpoint, airport officials say allowing the video could undermine public trust in neutral government infrastructure. They argue travelers should not be exposed to overt partisan messaging in spaces intended to be public forums for safety, wayfinding, and nonpartisan public announcements.
DHS, for its part, has defended the video, calling the criticism “political gamesmanship,” and reiterating that the message is intended to highlight operational impacts on TSA personnel.
It’ll be interesting to see if this is as far as this issue will go, or will the Trump administration take an even sterner hand in trying to force U.S. airports to play the video, “as is and in its entirety.” Could the Office of Special Counsel or another legal authority open an investigation over potential Hatch Act violations?
For more on the story, check out the video below.
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(Additional sources: The Associated Press, The Washington Examiner)
(Cover photo of Kristi Noem, Image credit: X)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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