US Airports Halt Noem’s Shutdown Video Over Legality
Major international airports across the United States have taken a firm stance against airing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video featuring then-Rep. Kristi Noem, which attributes blame to the Democratic party for an ongoing federal government shutdown. Citing concerns over partisan political messaging, several prominent transportation hubs, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, Seattle–Tacoma, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, have declined to display the footage at their security checkpoints.
Authorities overseeing airports in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, and Westchester County, New York, collectively rejected the video’s broadcast. Their primary concern revolves around the overtly political nature of the content, which they believe could violate existing state and federal statutes. Chief among these is the Hatch Act, a federal law designed to prevent federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty or using government resources.
The Contentious Message
The video, initially obtained by Fox News, features Noem directly addressing travelers. In her statement, she asserts: “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA [Transportation Security Administration] employees are working without pay.” This direct accusation against a political party became the focal point of the airports’ objections.
Airport administrations emphasized their commitment to maintaining a neutral, informational environment for the traveling public. They argued that the DHS video diverged significantly from the standard public service announcements typically shown in high-traffic areas like security checkpoints.
Legal Grounds for Refusal
The Port of Portland articulated its position clearly, informing The Guardian that it “did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging.” The port further underscored that Oregon state law explicitly bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party or affiliation, concluding that “consenting to playing this video on Port assets would violate Oregon law.”
Similarly, Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport issued a statement declining to display the TSA-related video. It highlighted that “its content included political messaging that did not align with the neutral, informational nature of the public service announcements typically shown at the security checkpoints,” also referencing the Hatch Act as a key concern.
Understanding the Hatch Act
The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, is a crucial federal law designed to prohibit certain political activities by federal employees. Its fundamental purpose is to ensure that government programs and services remain non-partisan and are not used for political gain or influence. Airports, as public entities often operating under federal guidelines and hosting federal employees, are particularly sensitive to potential violations of this statute.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport echoed the sentiments of its counterparts, confirming to The Guardian that it “declined to post the video” to remain consistent with its established policy of political neutrality and to avoid any perception of endorsing partisan viewpoints.
The widespread refusal by these major US airports underscores a unified commitment to upholding legal and ethical standards regarding political neutrality in public spaces. Their actions send a clear message that government facilities, particularly critical transportation hubs, should not be utilized as platforms for partisan political discourse, especially when federal employees are involved.
Source: The Guardian
