Airports Decline to Display DHS Secretary's Shutdown Video Citing Politics and Laws

Strategic Insights -

Airports in the US are declining to display a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem blaming congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and related travel delays, citing the video's political nature and conflicting with internal policies and state or federal laws. The video's message has been deemed "inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation's top public officials" by Westchester County, with County Executive Ken Jenkins calling it "unnecessarily alarmist" in a statement. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has reiterated the video's message, stating that while the shutdown creates challenges, security operations remain largely unimpacted.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least a half-dozen US airports have declined to display a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, citing the video's political nature and internal policies.
  • The video blames congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and related travel delays, with Noem stating "Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government."
  • The Port of Portland, which operates Portland International Airport, cited the Hatch Act as prohibiting the use of public assets for political purposes and messaging.
  • Westchester County, a community just north of New York City, deemed the video "inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation's top public officials" and "unnecessarily alarmist."
  • Some airports do not have screens available to play the videos, but were not specifically asked to display them.
  • The Department of Homeland Security has reiterated the video's message, stating that security operations remain largely unimpacted, despite the shutdown creating challenges.

Statistics:

  • At least seven US airports have declined to display the video (Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Portland International Airport).
  • 16 airports were asked to display the video, but declined.
  • 10 airports do not have screens available to play the video.
  • Federal Aviation Administration provides around 10% of funding for airport infrastructure.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post
  • News organizations and social media
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Port of Portland
  • Westchester County Government