Will not play at airports across the country a video In which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been convicted government shutdown On the Democrats, a New York County official called the video “inappropriate”.
At least seven airports so far have declined the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) request to run the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) video of Noem, warning about potential changes to airport operations. staffing limitations And TSA workers are not getting paid during the shutdown.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon confirmed to The Hill that they are not playing Noem’s video.
“We did not consent to the video running in its current form because we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits the use of public properties for political purposes and messaging,” a spokesperson for Portland said in a statement Tuesday.
“Additionally, Oregon law states that no public employee may promote or oppose any political committee, party or affiliation,” the spokesperson said. “We believe that consenting to the playing of this video on port properties would be a violation of Oregon law.”
A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle said the video would not be played in SEA “due to the political nature of the content”.
“We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay in SEA during the shutdown,” the spokesperson said.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) and Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) told local stations. WGRZ No airport would play Noem’s video due to “long-standing policy codified regulations regarding public service advertising that prohibit sending partisan messages at their facilities”.
Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York also will not play Noem’s video. County government officials reviewed TSA’s request to play the video “and our message is clear: It is inappropriate, unacceptable and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” according to a statement Released Friday by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, cooperation, and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues and undermines public trust,” Jenkins said. “As County Executive, I believe our residents deserve clear, honest and non-partisan communications – especially when it comes to national security, the impact of the government shutdown, and public safety.”
The tone of the video is “unnecessarily alarming,” Jenkins said.
Elsewhere, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) reported forbes This video will not play. Spokane International Airport (GEG) confirmed KHQ That it won’t even play Noem’s video. The Hill has also contacted both airports for comment.
It’s a different story at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Jennifer Mehigan, director of media relations for the Massachusetts Port Authority, said Tuesday that TSA has not requested the video be played there.
“Also, there are no video screens at TSA checkpoints,” Mehigan told The Hill.
In Noem’s video, the secretary says TSA workers are not getting their pay due to the shutdown.
“It is TSA’s top priority to ensure you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while keeping you safe,” the DHS chief said in the video. “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.”
“We will continue to do everything we can to avoid delays that impact you,” he added. “Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
