A public service announcement recorded by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is being blocked from airing in several major American airports, after local officials and transportation authorities objected to its tone, blaming the Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The PSA, intended to be played at TSA checkpoints in airports nationwide, features Noem informing travelers of the shutdown’s impact on airport operations — while laying responsibility squarely on congressional Democrats.
“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,” Noem says in the video. “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government… many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.”
Noem concludes the message by expressing hope that “Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
Airports Refuse to Air “Partisan” PSA
At least five airports have declined to air the video, including Portland International Airport (Oregon), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Washington), Niagara Falls International Airport (New York), Buffalo Niagara International Airport (New York) and Westchester County Airport (New York).
Officials at Portland International Airport argued that playing the video could potentially violate the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in political activity using government resources. An airport spokesperson stated, “We didn’t consent to playing it, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits using public assets for political purposes and messaging. Additionally, Oregon law prohibits public employees from promoting or opposing political parties or affiliations.”
Westchester Official: “Inappropriate and Alarmist”
Ken Jenkins, the Democratic Westchester County Executive, was also critical of the message.
“The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA Operations,” Jenkins said in a statement. “This video will not be displayed at Westchester County Airport… It is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.”
Jenkins added that in a time of national uncertainty, public communication should be “clear, honest, and nonpartisan.”
Transportation Authorities Cite Longstanding Policy
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), which oversees both Niagara Falls and Buffalo Niagara airports, confirmed it also rejected the PSA.
“The video violates NFTA’s long-standing policy prohibiting partisan messaging in its facilities,” a spokesperson told NBC News. “Therefore, we are not airing this video on airport-controlled screens.”
Similarly, the Port of Seattle, which runs SEA-Tac Airport, said the PSA won’t appear on any screens there 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 SEA during the shutdown,” the port said in a statement.
DHS Pushes Back: “We Stand By the Message”
In response to the backlash, a DHS spokesperson doubled down on the PSA and said it is still being rolled out in airports across the country.
“This is a message of transparency and truth,” the spokesperson told The New York Post. “We hope Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
Secretary Noem, who was appointed by President Trump to lead the department, has emerged as one of the administration’s most visible figures during the shutdown. She has been tasked with overseeing not only the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) but also coordinating the department’s response to ongoing operational challenges caused by the funding lapse.
Shutdown Enters Second Week
The partial government shutdown, closing its second week, began on October 1 after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution that would have funded the government through November. Just three Senate Democrats reportedly supported the measure, which has become a major point of contention between the White House and congressional leadership.
The impasse has led to over 4,000 federal workers being furloughed, while many — including TSA agents — continue working without pay. Financial institutions such as Navy Federal Credit Union have begun issuing emergency loans to support impacted government employees.
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Of course, anything supported by Trump is opposed by the corrupt globalist establishment elite democrats