Travelers passing through airports across the United States this week may notice something missing: a controversial video message from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which blames Congressional Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown. Despite the Trump administration’s push to air the video at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide, major airports from coast to coast are refusing to play it, citing concerns over partisanship and legal constraints.
The video, released in early October 2025, features Secretary Noem addressing travelers directly. She reassures, “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.” But the message quickly turns political. “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.” Noem closes with a pointed hope: “Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
For many airport officials, that last sentence crossed a line. According to WVIR, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) and Richmond International Airport (RIC) are among those opting out. Jason Burch, CEO of CHO, explained via email, “We do not engage in political messaging. CHO will not be displaying any partisan or political videos, including the one recently mentioned in the media. Our commitment is to our passengers and community, and to maintaining the professionalism and trust that define our airport.”
Burch further clarified that while their decision was not based on a direct legal interpretation of the Hatch Act of 1939—a federal law aimed at keeping government programs nonpartisan—it was guided by the same principle. “Our choice aligns with that same principle, maintaining the neutrality expected of a public facility and ensuring that we do not display or promote any material that could be viewed as political or partisan.”
RIC’s leadership echoed this stance. Troy Bell, Director of Air Service Development and Corporate Communications, told WVIR that Richmond “is not running the controversial DHS ‘shutdown’ video due to a variety of local, state, and federal concerns,” though he chose not to elaborate on specifics.
The movement is hardly limited to Virginia. As reported by Axios and The Hill, airports in Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, New York City, Buffalo, and beyond have also declined to play the video. Kara Hansen, spokesperson for the Port of Portland—which oversees Portland International Airport—explained, “We did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging.” She also cited Oregon law, which forbids public employees from promoting or opposing any political party or affiliation.
Similarly, a spokesperson for the Port of Seattle told The Hill that the video would not be played at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport “due to the political nature of the content.” The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, cited longstanding policies against airing politically partisan messages. “Airports are not airing the video on airport-controlled screens,” a representative confirmed.
Other airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Spokane International, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, and Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, provided similar explanations. In each case, officials pointed to policies or laws meant to keep airport messaging neutral and nonpartisan.
Some local leaders have been especially outspoken. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins called the DHS request to display the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.” Jenkins added, “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. Our residents deserve clear, honest and nonpartisan communication—especially when it comes to national security, government shutdown impacts, and public safety.”
Even the logistics of displaying the message have proven tricky. At Boston Logan International Airport and Denver International Airport, officials noted that TSA had not requested the video be played—and in any case, there are no video screens at TSA checkpoints in those locations. “We have not been asked by the TSA to play that video,” a Denver representative said. “We don’t have the monitors … and the TSA here knows that, so they didn’t ask.”
The Department of Homeland Security, for its part, has stood by the video’s message. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement to multiple outlets, including Axios and The Hill: “It is TSA’s top priority to ensure that travelers have the most safe, pleasant and efficient airport experience possible. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, most of our TSA employees are working without pay. While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. 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.”
Despite the sharp rhetoric, airport operations remain largely steady, at least for now. Still, the shutdown’s effects are being felt by workers and travelers alike. Thousands of TSA employees and air traffic controllers continue to work without pay, as required by agency shutdown procedures. According to Associated Press interviews with travel industry analysts, there’s growing concern that a prolonged shutdown could disrupt travel plans, especially with the busy Thanksgiving season on the horizon. Jenry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst, warned, “The risk is growing by the day.”
Political observers see this episode as a significant escalation in the perennial blame game that accompanies government shutdowns. Jeff Schapiro, a scholar with the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, told WVIR, “This shutdown, it’s not just finger pointing. It seems that there are knives out.”
As for the prospect of federal consequences for airports refusing to play the video, no such action has been reported. CHO officials told WVIR they have not heard from the federal government regarding their refusal and “are not aware of any consequences” stemming from their decision.
For now, the standoff continues—both in Washington and at airports nationwide. The debate over what’s appropriate for public messaging in shared spaces has become a flashpoint in a broader political battle, leaving travelers to navigate not just security lines, but the ever-present undercurrents of partisanship. Whether the shutdown ends soon or drags on, one thing is clear: America’s airports are drawing a line in the sand when it comes to political messaging on their turf.
