U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem, flanked by Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Safety Administration Ha McNeil and Adam Stahl, TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, speaks throughout a information convention at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport on July 8, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Kent Nishimura | Getty Pictures
A number of main U.S. airports are refusing to air a video displaying Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats in Congress for the continuing federal authorities shutdown.
The Transportation Safety Administration despatched requests to airports to air the video on screens close to safety strains.
Noem within the video says, “It’s TSA’s high precedence to just remember to have probably the most nice and environment friendly airport expertise as attainable whereas we preserve you secure,” in line with MSNBC.
“Nevertheless, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal authorities, and due to this, lots of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA staff are working with out pay,” says Noem, whose division oversees the TSA.
Air site visitors controllers resume operations a day after Hollywood Burbank Airport operated for hours with out a staffed management tower as a consequence of staffing shortages amid the U.S. authorities shutdown, in Burbank, California, U.S., Oct. 7, 2025.
Daniel Cole | Reuters
Some airports that refused to point out Noem’s video cited its political nature, with just a few immediately pointing to the Hatch Act, which prohibits sure political actions by authorities staff.
The airports that refused to point out Noem’s video embrace the three main airports within the New York Metropolis space — John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, and Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport in New Jersey.
“The Port Authority’s longstanding insurance policies forestall airing of politically partisan messages at our amenities, so airports should not airing the video on airport-controlled screens,” mentioned a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates these three airports.
A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle–Tacoma Worldwide Airport, in an announcement, mentioned, “The Port of Seattle won’t play the video on its screens at SEA Airport, because of the political nature of the content material.”
“We proceed to induce bipartisan efforts to finish the federal government shutdown and are working to seek out methods to help federal staff working with out pay at SEA in the course of the shutdown,” the spokesperson mentioned.
A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport mentioned, North Carolina municipal legislation in addition to CLT Airport’s coverage for digital content material don’t allow the referenced video.”
“Moreover, TSA doesn’t personal any displays on the airport’s checkpoints,” the spokesperson mentioned. “The restricted digital screens owned by CLT are designated for static content material that helps wayfinding, gives important journey info and promotes CLT’s revenue-generating companies.”
Spokespeople for Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport and Harry Reid Worldwide Airport in Las Vegas mentioned these amenities declined to submit the video due to insurance policies barring political content material.
“Per airport rules, the terminals and surrounding areas should not designated public boards, and the airport’s intent is to keep away from using the power for political or non secular advocacy,” a spokesperson for Harry Reid Worldwide mentioned.
“Moreover, as a facility that hosts federal operations, we stay aware of the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political exercise in authorities workplaces. We stay dedicated to offering vacationers with clear info that helps a clean and environment friendly screening course of.”
The Port of Portland, which operates Portland Worldwide Airport in Oregon, acquired a request from TSA to point out Noem’s video message in regards to the shutdown. “Nevertheless, we didn’t consent to taking part in the video in its present type, as we imagine the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public belongings for political functions and messaging,” Molly Prescott, aviation communications supervisor for the Port informed CNBC by e mail.
“Moreover, Oregon legislation states no public worker can promote or oppose any political committee, get together, or affiliation. We imagine consenting to taking part in this video on Port belongings would violate Oregon legislation.”
Cleveland Hopkins Worldwide Airport has reportedly refused to point out Noem’s video. CNBC has reached out to representatives for the airport.
In an announcement to CNBC, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, reiterated feedback that Noem made on the video.
“Whereas this creates challenges for our individuals, our safety operations stay largely unimpacted at the moment,” McLaughlin added.
“It is unlucky our workforce has been put on this place as a consequence of political gamesmanship,” she mentioned.
“Our hope is that Democrats will quickly acknowledge the significance of opening the federal government.”
A scarcity of air site visitors controllers throughout the federal government shutdown has brought about flight delays and disruptions, CNBC reported final week.
On Friday, airways informed vacationers to brace for delays over the Columbus Day vacation weekend as a consequence of staffing shortages.
Final week, delayed flights occurred throughout the U.S. at airports together with Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee. Dangerous climate was additionally anticipated to contribute to the delays.
Air journey was snarled in the course of the greater than monthlong authorities shutdown that led to January 2019, hours after a shortfall of air site visitors controllers disrupted flights within the New York space.
Earlier than that, some airport safety checkpoints had been closed as a consequence of elevated sick calls from Transportation Safety Administration screeners who’re additionally working with out pay.
On Tuesday, air site visitors controllers acquired their first partial paycheck. If the shutdown continues, they may miss a full paycheck on Oct. 28.
The federal government shutdown started Oct. 1 after the Senate didn’t move stopgap funding measures that will have maintained regular operations, not less than for some time.
Republicans, who maintain a majority within the Senate, need to approve a so-called clear decision handed by the Home that would offer solely short-term funding. Democrats insist that any such persevering with decision embrace a provision to increase the lifetime of enhanced Inexpensive Care Act tax credit.
These credit, that are as a consequence of expire on the finish of 2025, decrease the price of medical insurance for 22 million Individuals who buy plans from Obamacare marketplaces.
The Senate is predicted to vote once more on Tuesday on funding resolutions, which have little probability of passing.