Major airports say “no” to DHS video
Several of the nation’s busiest airports—including LaGuardia, JFK, O’Hare, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta — are refusing to air a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown.
The video, which began rolling out to airports last week, features Noem addressing travellers directly about the effects of the shutdown on airport operations and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees. But airport officials across the country say the message crosses a clear line: no political content on airport-controlled screens.
“The Port Authority’s longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities,” said a statement from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees three major airports in the region—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty.
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A political message on public screens
In the roughly 30-second video, Noem says:
“It is TSA’s top priority to make you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe. 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.”
She concludes the message by expressing hope that “Democrats will soon recognise the importance of opening the government.”
According to DHS, more than 61,000 of the TSA’s 64,000 employees are currently working without pay due to the shutdown, now entering its second week.
Hatch Act and state laws cited
Airport officials say their decision to block the video wasn’t political—it was legal. Many cited the Hatch Act, a federal law that restricts political activities by government employees and agencies.
Portland International Airport in Oregon issued one of the strongest responses, stating:
“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.”
The airport also noted that Oregon state law bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party or affiliation.
Other airports, such as Akron-Canton in Ohio, explained that their digital screens are reserved for nonpolitical, travel-related content only—like gate information, maps, and weather alerts.
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DHS defends the message
In response to criticism, DHS released a statement through Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defending the video’s message and intent.
“It is TSA’s top priority to ensure that travellers have the safest, most pleasant, and most efficient airport experience possible,” McLaughlin said. “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, most of our TSA employees are working without pay. While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time.”
She added, “It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship.”
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Shutdown politics at 30,000 feet
The video controversy highlights how deeply the current government shutdown has seeped into daily American life—even at airports. Democrats argue that Republicans bear responsibility, pointing to disputes over healthcare premiums and federal spending priorities.
While TSA workers continue to screen passengers without pay, many airport authorities are drawing firm lines about political neutrality in public spaces. For travellers passing through terminals from New York to San Francisco, that means they won’t be seeing Noem’s message anytime soon.
As the shutdown stretches on, both sides in Washington show little sign of compromise—leaving TSA employees caught in the middle and travellers bracing for more disruptions in the weeks ahead.
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