Airports Block Video of Kristi Noem Blaming Democrats for Shutdown

Airports across the United States have refused to show a partisan video produced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which criticizes Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown. The federal government has been partially closed for nearly three weeks after Congress failed to pass a funding bill by midnight on October 1. This has led to significant disruptions, with tens of thousands of flight delays reported since the shutdown began.

On Monday alone, there were approximately 7,000 flight delays within, into, or out of the U.S., according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website. These delays are attributed to staffing shortages at air traffic control towers and adverse weather conditions. As the shutdown continues, the Trump administration is using federal platforms to promote Republican talking points, suggesting that Democrats are responsible for the reduced efficiency of government operations.

In Noem’s video, she states, “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you 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 adds, “We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

Fox News initially reported that the video would be shown at every public airport in America. However, a recent report from The Washington Post indicates that this has not been the case. Airports in Buffalo, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon have declined to show the video, citing concerns over internal policies or state and federal laws that prohibit political messaging.

“We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging,” said Molly Prescott, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland, which operates Portland International Airport, in an interview with The Washington Post. The Hatch Act is designed to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan manner by restricting certain political activities of federal employees.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins also stated that his local airport, located north of New York City, refused to show the “unnecessarily alarmist” video, calling it “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.”

When The Independent reached out to the Homeland Security Department for comment on the backlash against Noem’s video, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the video’s message and added, “Our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship.”

In addition to Noem’s video, there are also pop-ups on government websites that blame Democrats for the shutdown. One such message on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website reads, “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.”

A lawsuit filed against the Trump administration by a federal workers’ union claims that the administration is making “a mockery of statutory prohibitions like the Hatch Act.” The suit, filed on behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, alleges that the Education Department replaced employees’ out-of-office emails with “partisan language,” blaming Democratic senators for the shutdown without notice or consent.

Democrats are demanding a reversal of Medicaid cuts included in Trump’s spending bill, which he signed in July, and an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for their support of a funding bill. Meanwhile, Republicans have falsely claimed that Democrats want to provide free healthcare to undocumented immigrants, despite these individuals only being eligible for emergency services under federal healthcare programs.

Flight delays caused by air traffic controllers calling out sick during the last shutdown in the latter half of Trump’s first term pressured lawmakers to reopen the government. However, this time around, Democrats and Republicans have yet to reach a deal.

Independent readers are independent-minded global citizens. They are not defined by traditional demographics or profiles but by their attitudes. In today’s increasingly fragmented world, communities value real facts and frank opinions delivered first-hand from a non-biased news brand that they can trust. Armed with information and inspiration, Independent readers are empowered and equipped to take a stand for the things they believe in.