DHS Video at Airports Sparks Controversy over Hatch Act Violations

Multiple airports across the country have refused to play a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at security checkpoints, citing that it violates federal law, specifically the Hatch Act. The video blames Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown. Ethics experts and airport officials have raised concerns that the video uses government resources to benefit or harm a political party, which is prohibited by the Hatch Act.

Key Takeaways:

• The video from Secretary Noem was meant to be played on TV monitors at TSA security checkpoints, but multiple airports have refused to play it, citing that it violates the Hatch Act.
• The video blames Democrats for the government shutdown and states that Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, leading to many of Homeland Security's operations being impacted.
• The Hatch Act prohibits officials in the executive branch from using their official title while participating in political activity and from using government resources to benefit or harm any political party.
• Government ethics experts agree that Secretary Noem's video is a clear violation of the Hatch Act and that it imposes a political cost on Democrats for the government shutdown.
• The Trump administration has been accused of using taxpayer dollars and government agency websites to blame Democrats for the shutdown, which is also in violation of the Hatch Act.
• At least seven major airports have refused to play the video, citing that it does not comply with their policies, specifically Atlanta's International Airport, Chicago's Department of Aviation, and Portland International Airport in Oregon.

Statistics:

• The government shutdown has entered its 14th day, with Republicans and Democrats at an impasse over a new spending bill.
• According to the video, most of Homeland Security's TSA employees are working without pay due to the government shutdown.
• The Hatch Act has been cited as being violated by multiple experts, including Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

Sources:

• BYLINE: Jaclyn Diaz, hosted by Mary Louise Kelly
• CNN: Archived recording of Kristi Noem's video
• Statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security
• Kathleen Clark, Law Professor, Washington University School of Law in St. Louis
• Atlanta's International Airport spokesperson
• Chicago's Department of Aviation spokesperson
• Portland International Airport spokesperson