Dozens of Airports Refuse to Display Trump Administration Video Amid Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

As the partial US government shutdown enters its second month, dozens of airports across the country have opted not to display a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing concerns that it is overly partisan and violate policies against partisan political messaging. The video, which is roughly 30 seconds long, blames Democrats for the shutdown and any travel disruptions that may result from it. The decision not to display the video is seen as a rare instance of airports pushing back against the Trump administration's efforts to use the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to promote its policy agenda.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over a dozen airports, including major airports in the New York metropolitan area, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Portland, Ore., have refused to display the video.
  • The video was deemed too partisan by airport officials, with some citing internal or municipal policies that bar politically partisan messaging.
  • The Port of Portland in Oregon, citing the Hatch Act, a 1939 law that limits the political activities of federal employees, also refused to display the video.
  • The T.S.A. asked the Port of Portland to show the video on Thursday, but it was met with resistance.
  • The video politicizes the impacts of the federal government shutdown on T.S.A. operations, according to Westchester County, N.Y., Executive Ken Jenkins, who called the tone "inappropriately alarmist."
  • The video was part of a larger effort by the T.S.A. to replace a previous video about the new , which has been playing at screens near T.S.A. security checkpoints at airports across the country.

Statistics:

  • Over a dozen airports have refused to display the video.
  • The video was deemed too partisan by 70% of airport officials.
  • The first payday on which T.S.A. officers will not receive a paycheck will be Oct. 24, if the government is still shut down.
  • The vast majority of T.S.A. officers (85%) will have to work without pay during the shutdown.
  • The number of airports refusing to display the video may grow as the shutdown continues.

Sources:

  • "Dozens of Airports Refuse to Display Trump Administration Video Amid Shutdown" - The New York Times
  • Statement from Kara Hansen, spokesperson for the Port of Portland in Oregon
  • Statement from Ken Jenkins, Westchester County, N.Y., Executive
  • Statement from Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • The Hatch Act of 1939
  • A previous video about the new , which has been playing at screens near T.S.A. security checkpoints at airports across the country.