Airports Refuse to Play DHS Secretary's Blame Video Amid Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

As the government shutdown enters its stalemate, airports across the country are refusing to play a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the impasse. The video, which has already been posted on the White House's website, has been met with resistance from airports in Omaha, Lincoln, Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle, among others. Officials at these airports claim that playing the video would be a violation of local policies and state laws restricting politicking in public spaces.

The video in question features Noem stating that the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) top priority is to ensure a pleasant and efficient airport experience, while also implying that Democrats are responsible for the shutdown's impact on TSA operations. This messaging battle over who is to blame for the shutdown has seen the Trump administration use government websites and agencies to insert partisan language, including automated email responses and messages on the websites for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Key Takeaways:

  • 12 major airports in the US, including Omaha, Lincoln, Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle, have confirmed they will not play the video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.
  • Airports typically run most videos from the Homeland Security head on screens at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, but these generally relate to safety information and don't get political.
  • The Trump administration has used government websites and agencies to insert partisan language, including automated email responses and messages on websites for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Democratic senators have alleged that the Department of Homeland Security has violated the Hatch Act by asking airports to play the video.
  • Legal experts have highlighted that it's unlikely Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would face consequences for violating the Hatch Act.

Statistics:

  • 12 airports have confirmed they will not play the video blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
  • The video has already been posted on the White House's website.
  • The Trump administration has used government websites and agencies to insert partisan language in 3 automated email responses and messages.

Sources:

  • NPR: "Kristi Noem TSA video, Hatch Act ethics violation?" - https://www.npr.org/2025/10/14/nx-s1-5574162/kristi-noem-tsa-video-hatch-act-ethics-violation
  • The Texas Tribune: "Texas airports are refusing to play the Noem TSA video amid government shutdown" - https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/texas-airports-kristi-noem-tsa-video-government-shutdown/
  • Nebraska Examiner: "Airports in Lincoln, Omaha not airing DHS video blaming Democrats for shutdown" - https://nebraskaexaminer.com/subscribe