Airports Refuse to Play Kristi Noem’s Homeland Security Video Blaming Democrats for the MAGA Shutdown

In a stunning act of defiance, several major U.S. airports have rejected a Department of Homeland Security video message from Secretary Kristi Noem, which blames Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown.

According to The Washington Post, airports in Portland, Phoenix, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, and Seattle declined to air the video, calling it inappropriate political messaging that could violate federal law.

Molly Prescott, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland, said:

“We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that the Port has declined to play a video.”

The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while performing their official duties. It exists to prevent those in power from using government platforms to promote their political agendas.

In the video, Noem claims:

“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.”

However, this statement has been widely criticized as misleading, since the current Republican-controlled administration triggered the shutdown after refusing to extend key Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Critics argue that Noem’s video is an abuse of power and a clear attempt to shift blame away from the administration’s role in the crisis.

Former airline executive Rob Britton told the Post he couldn’t recall any precedent for such a video being shown in airports.

Local officials have also spoken out. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins called the video “unnecessarily alarmist” and “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials.”

This coordinated refusal by multiple airports sends a powerful message about maintaining neutrality in public spaces and resisting attempts to turn government agencies into partisan tools.

As public frustration grows over the shutdown and the politicization of federal institutions, these airport officials are reminding the country that democracy depends on accountability and non-partisan governance.

Their stand offers a valuable lesson: when faced with propaganda or misuse of authority, it’s essential to protect the principles of fairness, transparency, and truth even if it means saying “no” to those in power.