Several major airports across the United States — including those in Hawaii — are refusing to display a new TSA video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which blames Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown. The decision highlights growing resistance among airport authorities to what they see as politically charged content in public spaces.
The video, produced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was intended to play on monitors at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide. In it, Noem states that Democrats in Congress “refuse to fund the government,” forcing TSA officers to work without pay and causing disruptions to federal operations.
However, officials in Hawaii, along with airports in New York, Portland, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Newark, have chosen not to air the video. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, TSA screens are reserved for traveler information, safety instructions, and operational messages — not partisan political statements.
“Checkpoint monitors are designated for security and travel information, not political content,” a Hawaii state spokesperson explained.
Other airport authorities cited similar reasoning, pointing to federal and state laws that prohibit the use of public facilities for political promotion. Some officials referenced the Hatch Act, which forbids federal employees from engaging in political activity in an official capacity.
A representative from the Port of Portland confirmed that the airport was asked to play the video but declined, saying it would violate both state regulations and the principles of political neutrality in public infrastructure.
Critics argue that airing the Noem video would blur the line between public service announcements and partisan messaging, potentially undermining public trust in federal agencies. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several ethics watchdog groups have voiced concern that the video could amount to the politicization of taxpayer-funded spaces.
At the same time, DHS officials defend the video’s intent. A department spokesperson said the goal was to “keep the public informed about the effects of the shutdown,” not to promote political views. The statement emphasized that TSA employees continue to work unpaid and that the government’s closure has disrupted essential operations.
Still, the controversy reflects broader national tensions surrounding the shutdown and its political fallout. With the federal government partially closed for weeks, agencies are struggling to maintain normal operations while political leaders in Washington trade blame over budget negotiations.
For now, passengers traveling through Hawaii’s airports and other major U.S. hubs won’t see the Noem video while passing through security checkpoints. Instead, most airports have reaffirmed their commitment to keeping screens focused solely on traveler safety, navigation, and service updates — not partisan disputes.
The move underscores an ongoing question: how should public institutions maintain neutrality and trust when political messaging increasingly seeps into every aspect of public life?
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