Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has declined to broadcast a video in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lays blame on congressional Democrats for the current federal government shutdown.
A spokesperson told ABC15 Arizona Monday that the move aligns with existing airport policy, though the airport has offered no further detail on which rule applies.
The decision places Phoenix among a growing list of U.S. airports that have opted out of airing the clip, citing concerns about partisan content and potential legal constraints.
Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) also announced it will not run the video, labeling its political nature as incompatible with the airport’s standards.
The video, intended for display in TSA screening zones, begins with Noem stating that the Transportation Security Administration’s “top priority” is to maintain efficient and safe passenger processing, even as operations are disrupted by the shutdown.
She then asserts that “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” causing many TSA functions to suffer and leaving agents unpaid. She also frames the government’s reopening as contingent on Democratic action.
Typically, airport and TSA checkpoint videos focus on traveler instructions, security procedures, or general public service announcements, not overt political messaging. This deviation has provoked concern among both airport administrators and legal analysts.
One legal question centers on the Hatch Act, a federal statute that limits federal employees’ engagement in partisan activity while on duty, using federal resources, or in official capacities.
Some airports have publicly pointed to the law as a reason to decline the message.
AlterNet reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment.