Las Vegas airport, others refuse to play Noem video on shutdown impact
Harry Reid International has joined airports across the country refusing to play a public service announcement video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal shutdown and its effects on Transportation Security Administration operations.
In an emailed statement, Reid officials said the message, which would have been played on monitors near TSA checkpoint lines while passengers await screening, does not comply with the airport’s neutrality toward political and religious advocacy.
“Harry Reid International Airport has declined to display a recently provided TSA video, as 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,” the airport’s statement says.
“Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy. Additionally, as a facility that hosts federal operations, we remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political activity in government workplaces. We remain committed to providing travelers with clear information that supports a smooth and efficient screening process.”
The Hatch Act, a law passed with bipartisan support in 1939 and named for Sen. Carl Hatch, D-N.M., was approved after workers hired by government agencies during the Great Depression were accused of campaigning on behalf of President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration.
Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle, Reno and more are among those that have refused to show the video to waiting passengers.
Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown.
The shutdown has disrupted routine operations at some airports, leading to flight delays. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some medical insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.
Noem’s video
In the video, Noem says the TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she continues.
The TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown.
A spokesperson for DHS responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem’s video.
“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.
DHS said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.
Multiple airports refuse
In Columbus, Ohio, the video was not being aired at John Glenn International Airport as of Tuesday. Spokesperson Breann Almos said it is under legal review but did not provide a timeline.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”
Near the border with Canada, travelers won’t see the video at Buffalo Niagara International Airport or Niagara Falls International Airport. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said its “long-standing” policy and regulations prohibit “partisan messaging” in its facilities.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that “prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party.” In Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said it has a policy that doesn’t allow political messaging to be displayed in its facility.
“Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy,” the airport’s statement said.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City won’t play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” and said its tone is “unnecessarily alarmist” as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport.
“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he said.
Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing it because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer.
The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.
“We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video.”
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon and Rio Yamat and Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Claire Rush in Portland contributed to this report.
