A couple of days ago, I covered how a new video is being screened at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Well, as it turns out, the video isn’t actually playing at all airports, and it’s causing some beef between local authorities and the federal government.
In this post:
Airports pull TSA video blaming Democrats for shutdown
It’s normal for there to be a video playing on overhead monitors at TSA checkpoints, often from the Secretary of Homeland Security. The intent is that the video is supposed to be informational, rather than something political.
Up until recently, the video was about the REAL ID deadline. However, that has now been replaced by a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, which seems to primarily be about blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. As the video goes:
“Hi, I’m Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe. 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 all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel, and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
While this was supposed to play at all airports nationwide, a growing number of airports are refusing to air this. Specifically, this isn’t playing at airport controlled monitors at the following facilities:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Buffalo (BUF)
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Cleveland (CLE)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- New York Kennedy (JFK)
- Newark (EWR)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Portland (PDX)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Spokane (GEG)
- White Plains (HPN)
How airport authorities are justifying their decision
Airport authorities are providing all kinds of different justifications for not screening this video at airports. For example, here’s the statement the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey released:
“The Port Authority’s longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities, so airports are not airing the video on airport-controlled screens.”
Here’s the statement that Phoenix Airport released:
“Consistent with airport policy, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport declined to post the video. The policy does not permit political content.”
Here’s the statement that Portland Airport released:
“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.”
Here’s a statement from an executive at White Plains Airport:
“Westchester County has reviewed the request from the Department of Homeland Security to replace the REAL ID video with a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that was released by United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and our message is clear: it is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials. The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA Operations, and the County finds the tone to be unnecessarily alarmist – particularly as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport. This video will not be displayed at Westchester County Airport.”
I think part of the issue with our political process is that most people have strong opinions and think they’re right, and therefore justify things they wouldn’t be okay with if roles were reversed. This applies to both parties, and you can pick your topic — cancel culture, free speech, personal freedoms, blaming the opposition, etc.
Regardless of which party is “at fault” for the government shutdown, I don’t think messages like this are appropriate. I’d say this if Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security were making a video like this, and I’m saying this as Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security is making a video like this.
Sure, make a video apologizing for potentially longer wait times due to the government shutdown, but to just make this about politics crosses a line, in my opinion. And I’m sure some people will disagree with me, but I’d love to hear if those people would be fine if the shoe were on the other foot here, and if it wasn’t your preferred party saying it.
Bottom line
Over a dozen airports and counting are refusing to show Kristi Noem’s new TSA checkpoint video, which is mainly about blaming Democrats on the government shutdown. The checkpoint videos are intended to be informational, providing details that travelers may find useful. Suffice it to say that this video has a different angle.
Airports are making a variety of arguments against the video, from claiming it violates the Hatch Act, to stating it just violates airport policies.
It wasn’t playing in Tampa on Sunday morning Thank God.
Utter bullshit from a dangerous government
SFO and LAX wasn't playing it yesterday. (They have static screens with info at the precheck lines I went through) yesterday.
She is HOT!
"Take it easy, Dude."
She's hanging out with your Polish brother Corey.
A partisan video at TSA is so far beyond being simply inappropriate I don’t even know what the correct word is Bravo to the airports standing up to the fascists
Ha-Ha!
I take pity on the TSA staff that is force fed video of this ignorant sycophantic hag with the psychopathic stare.
Hey now! Apologize to actual hags for that one!
The airports that refuse to show it should have all their ATC staff removed and no remote assistance.
Airports serve a public service, and refusing to serve the public based on the elected government is treason.
'Treason' for not airing a political PSA (which almost certainly violates the Hatch Act)?!?
Damn, when you guys aren't calling the other side snowflakes, it's amazing how quickly you become drama queens!
Puh-lease. You self-righteous moron
You live in a bizarre fantasy world.
That would be the bizarre world if this administration was truly fascist ….. but it’s not
Years of money about "snowflakes", yet MAGA has been a bunch of precious little dew-drops the whole time. Sad. Very sad.
You forgot the '/s'
How is not showing this video “refusing to serve the public”? It doesn’t contain any vital safety information for instance.
President Trump and his team are elected public servants, all their decisions and actions by default is for the good of and to serve the public.
Again, you forgot the ‘/s’
Any idea how many of the "Will not show the video" Airports represent all airports with a video screen in the precheck line?
I've never seen video screens at the obviously omitted airports like DFW, ORD, or even DEN (strange given the consolidated security line there)
DFW and Love Field both have the screens and both have said they won’t show the video.
It’s my personal opinion that more airports should do this. I was personally surprised and somewhat disappointed that my home airport of BOS was not on the list since MA is a very blue area and we have a very anti-Trump governor. In my opinion, I would love to see more airports in blue states e.g. ORD, BWI, SEA etc. follow suit if possible.
I don’t think BOS has video monitors with audio either at TSA or at passport control, so they wouldn’t be showing it anyways.
That’s good to know. I never really paid attention to whether they have video monitors at security at Logan but now that I think about it, I don’t recall any monitors or any video ever playing.
Good news, Alan: According to the Bost Herald, "Boston Logan among airports not displaying Kristi Noem government shutdown video."
MAGAs are idiots. If you don’t want to play the video at your airport then don’t.
If you’re running this video at terminal E at DFW you might get cheers from people 4 whiskey and cokes deep. ‘MERICA !
Eh, I'm no fan of the video, but, let's be clear: 4 drinks in, anyone might cheer at anything. Are we upset with 'those who enjoy the occasional cocktail(s), now?' Not really. Oh, how the pendulum swings in odd ways, from bigots to teetotalers... lest we forget the errors learned from the Prohibition era (then again, today does 'rhyme' a lot with 1920-33, doesn't it?)
Notice that many of these big airports are in Democrat controlled cities, and they have been very radicalized and highly political - supporting policies for illegals and defending police, making these cities notorious for crimes and badly corrupt.
Refunding police = high crime rate, soft on crime, lawlessness.
Defunding!
Which cities have cut police budgets and "defunded" them?
Now tell everyone how those cities are all literal jungles, with machetes and hand grenades and stones and nukes and nunchucks being thrown at all the "god"-fearing oppressed white people who only want the "right" to shit on black and brown and red and yellow and gay and trans people, just like in 1950s and earlier US of A.
Most cities are Democrat so yes most of these airport are in Democrat areas. Voting Democrat is not “radical” - half the country did it.
Darlene, I hope you realize that you've said nothing of substance in your message. Instead you are regurgitating propaganda from Fox News and the like. I'm sure Ben and others would be happy to know your own personal opinion, and not the sound bites we've all heard so many times on tv. What you said doesn't even relate to the content of this post.
I mean, of course big airports will be associated with big cities (beings centers of commerce and all); and of course big cities tend to run blue/democrat (higher educated, higher income, etc.) Most, if not all, cities with large/hub airports are blue, even if their states are staunchly red/republican - but this is more correlation than causation, contrary to your insinuation.
And these cities are "notorious for crimes" because right-wing media outlets like to run...
I mean, of course big airports will be associated with big cities (beings centers of commerce and all); and of course big cities tend to run blue/democrat (higher educated, higher income, etc.) Most, if not all, cities with large/hub airports are blue, even if their states are staunchly red/republican - but this is more correlation than causation, contrary to your insinuation.
And these cities are "notorious for crimes" because right-wing media outlets like to run those stories to the ground even if they're contextually misleading.
This isn't the "gotcha!" you thought it was. But I guess sorry that there's no large airline hub airport in the middle of West Virginia or North Dakota?
GreyF, be careful. You're using big words, like correlation and causation, MAGA may not understand.
@Darlene D babe, let’s look at FACTS. Nine of ten most dangerous states are RED. Sates with the most mass shootings? RED. Worst performing states for education? RED. We’re not radicalized. We’re tired of your intolerant, racist, homophonic blathering as you fan culture wars to justify your vile behavior.
You forgot to mention that the states whose residents will be most negatively impacted by the health care cuts Democrats are trying to protect are Red. This is literally money flowing from blue states to red.
Thank you, @Parker. Once again, couldn't have said it better myself! (I've noticed there are far more 'allies' on this site than some of the other. Like, I'm really pleasantly surprised. Startin' to think Gary was running 'View from the Right Wing' now that I think of it. Sheesh!)
All airports are in Democrat cities as far as I know. Republican cities generally have a population of under 100 people.
Her face freaks me out. Like one of those old timey cartoons where only the lips move. The Republicans won't call the House back into session, so they're equally to blame, not just the Democrats.
I wouldn't waste my time anymore on what laws are being broken. The Hatch Act and the Emoluments Clause get casually broken all the time without any repercussions. There are more important issues to care about. Like the military potentially missing a paycheck tomorrow.
So frustrating how governmental accounting works, and how regular Americans feel the consequences. I understand employees who are furloughed, but if you're designating someone as essential and requiring them to work, PAY THEM! Figure out the accounting on the backend. But don't add unnecessary stress to an already stressed out ATCs force.
What about the millions of federal workers who are missing their pays? Off course they aren’t important
Touché, but them too.
For now, the military's last paycheck is tomorrow (October 15). November 1st would be the next bi-weekly pay-period that's gonna be a problem for service members, if this isn't resolved by then.
So, after a few missed paychecks, there's likely to be an uptick in 'unauthorized absences' (AWOL). But, defenses to those charges include: mental or medical health issues, and family emergencies; which, arguably are going to increase if months go by, and they have...
For now, the military's last paycheck is tomorrow (October 15). November 1st would be the next bi-weekly pay-period that's gonna be a problem for service members, if this isn't resolved by then.
So, after a few missed paychecks, there's likely to be an uptick in 'unauthorized absences' (AWOL). But, defenses to those charges include: mental or medical health issues, and family emergencies; which, arguably are going to increase if months go by, and they have to work without any pay.
Ben is 100% correct. Messages like this are inappropriate, regardless of which 'team' anyone is on. If former DHS Secretary Mayorkas did this blaming Republicans, it would be wrong, then, too.
While I think this could be a violation of the Hatch Act, enforcement is unlikely, so, more than anything, it's violation of ethics and norms, which seems to go unpunished, these days.
Only once the well-off are affected personally by this shutdown...
Ben is 100% correct. Messages like this are inappropriate, regardless of which 'team' anyone is on. If former DHS Secretary Mayorkas did this blaming Republicans, it would be wrong, then, too.
While I think this could be a violation of the Hatch Act, enforcement is unlikely, so, more than anything, it's violation of ethics and norms, which seems to go unpunished, these days.
Only once the well-off are affected personally by this shutdown will anything be done. So, even though they've declined credit for ending the last one, it's probably ATC in NYC region that'll do it.
(Totally unrelated, but I hear there's an awful cold going around... might have to call out sick...)
Yes of course this is absolutely ridiculous Trumpism. Still better than Biden allowing unkown people to pass through TSA via self-identifying in the CBP One app.
Was that the case? Or was that non passport TSA line for people with green cards and travel docs?
These were at near-boarder airports with no international flights, and only during the Biden administration, so let’s do some really critical thinking here James.
Or better yet, maybe Lucky can cross the aisle and write an article about it since everyone in the comments loves to dispute this fact.
DEN also isn't playing it, though perhaps due to their monitors not having audio
https://www.westword.com/news/denver-airport-not-playing-kristi-noem-tsa-video-40791083/
Spokane Airport is not airing these either. Also just saw a news story saying Atlanta will not be showing them.
Good. Didn't see them at JFK either.
Add Sacramento (SMF) to the list. They confirmed today they are not showing the video.
that womans expression just screams total nutcase lol
These are some of the things the Democrats are demanding we fund:
- $3 million for circumcisions and vasectomies in Zambia
- $833k for transgender people in Nepal
- $4.2 million for lgbtq people in the Western Balkans and Uganda
- $3.6 million for pastry cooking classes and dance focus groups for male prostitutes in Haiti
- $500k for electric buses in Rwanda
- $6 million for media organizations for...
These are some of the things the Democrats are demanding we fund:
- $3 million for circumcisions and vasectomies in Zambia
- $833k for transgender people in Nepal
- $4.2 million for lgbtq people in the Western Balkans and Uganda
- $3.6 million for pastry cooking classes and dance focus groups for male prostitutes in Haiti
- $500k for electric buses in Rwanda
- $6 million for media organizations for the Palestinians
- $300k for a pride parade in Lesotho
- $882k for social media and mentorship in Serbia
@ Martin O’Connor -- What does this have to do with informational videos at TSA checkpoints? Are you suggesting whatever party is in office should just start using TSA checkpoint screens to get out their political messaging?
Exactly!
No. He's only suggesting it's ok when Republicans do it. Because MAGAs are a bunch of whiny hypocrite snowflakes. Same people who said the NFL is a private company who is free to ruin a guy's career for kneeling during the national anthem are now like "MOM!!! NFL picked some Puerto Rican bunny for the halftime show. DO SOMETHING!!!!". When they scream about freedoms they mean THEIR freedumbs, not yours.
I think @Martin O'Connor is just proud about learning numbers and letters and wants to show this off to us. Next week, they might show us how they can sort ascending to descending, and possibly the week after that, the narrative process to show us how what is being presented is relevant. I'll be back to check on his progress.
that looks like less than cbs had to pay out to the crook-in-chief so that he didnt block their merger.
I don't care if it's raccoon hormone therapy. Keep it out of the airport screens. There's literally a law against it.
I see you bought the full talking points package. Now try the truth for a change. Put down the kool aid and think for yourself.
@Jef B, "full talking points package" lol. Good one. Also he forgot about the condoms for Gaza.
Even if all that is true (which it's not because a quick Google search tells you the "$3.2 million for cooking classes for Haiti prostitutes" is false), you're talking about 0.000286% of the U.S. federal budget.
First, it's totally inappropriate for the DHS secretary to engage politically like this. Second, your figures are misleading.
The shutdown is actually about Democrats demanding extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversing Trump's Medicaid cuts.
Those foreign aid items come from Senator Kennedy citing previously-approved spending that Trump wanted to cut - not new Democratic demands. The list misrepresents what the budget fight is really about.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-government-shutdown-news-10-13-25
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/01/nx-s1-5558456/government-shutdown-trump-house
https://worldtribune.com/shutdown-sen-kennedy-lists-ridiculous-foreign-aid-projects-democrats-demand-be-reinstated/
First, it's totally inappropriate for the DHS secretary to engage politically like this. Second, your figures are misleading.
The shutdown is actually about Democrats demanding extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversing Trump's Medicaid cuts.
Those foreign aid items come from Senator Kennedy citing previously-approved spending that Trump wanted to cut - not new Democratic demands. The list misrepresents what the budget fight is really about.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-government-shutdown-news-10-13-25
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/01/nx-s1-5558456/government-shutdown-trump-house
https://worldtribune.com/shutdown-sen-kennedy-lists-ridiculous-foreign-aid-projects-democrats-demand-be-reinstated/
You seem to have something agaist LGBTQ+ people, Martin. Care to tell me, an LGBTQ+ Gulf War veteran, to my face what that is? Or don't you have the cojones to do that and have to couch your bigotry in other terms?
Wait, so you're an L, a G, a B, a T, a Q .....AND a +..... Holy smokes. You win the Oppressed Victim Olympics!!!
No, I just claim the G part of it for myself. Otherwise, I'm a white cis male and therefore not repressed, but I am sympathetic enough to claim all of the other parts of the acronym. And when I clear customs at YYZ, I start calling myself a 2SLGBTQ+. I just want the big-mouthed bigot to admit in print that he's a bigot.
Well @Chris, Let's see why ORD might feel that way...
- Administration supports conversion therapy, AKA "pray the gay away."
- Trump is in an uproar over tarns people who are less than 1% of our population but somehow an existential threat.
- Whack job trying to undo marriage rights, hospital visitation rights, all rights.
- Book bans in state like Florida targeting LGBTQ books while leaving openly racist, sexist, islamophibic and...
Well @Chris, Let's see why ORD might feel that way...
- Administration supports conversion therapy, AKA "pray the gay away."
- Trump is in an uproar over tarns people who are less than 1% of our population but somehow an existential threat.
- Whack job trying to undo marriage rights, hospital visitation rights, all rights.
- Book bans in state like Florida targeting LGBTQ books while leaving openly racist, sexist, islamophibic and homophobic books on the shelves.
So, with respect, rather than attacking a veteran who has gone to war to save your a@@, why don't you sit down and keep your hate and intolerance to yourself.
@chris. Newsflash. It’s very common for people who are gay to say LGBTQ. Chill.
Oh. My. God. $12 million out of a multi-trillion dollar budget for things you disgarre with while the administration pays over $350 million to guild a 747 jet taxpayers will never benefit from. $12 million out of a budget that has already dished out over $80 million for Dear Leader to play golf since returning to office in January.
Sorry, Marty, but your dog won't hunt. And...even if it would, politically-motivated messaging being paid...
Oh. My. God. $12 million out of a multi-trillion dollar budget for things you disgarre with while the administration pays over $350 million to guild a 747 jet taxpayers will never benefit from. $12 million out of a budget that has already dished out over $80 million for Dear Leader to play golf since returning to office in January.
Sorry, Marty, but your dog won't hunt. And...even if it would, politically-motivated messaging being paid for by taxpayers is beyond unacceptable...unless of course we are willing to spend tax dollars reminding America that our convicted felon president has p!ssed away hundred of millions of dollars in frivolous lawsuit and exacting political revenge on his detractors. What you are getting the vapors over will cost each American citizen less than a dime in tax dollars, while Dear Leader's actions are costs tens of thousands of dollars.
Nice to see you here, Parker. Well said. (If only they could read...) Thank you, as always, for fighting the good fight, wherever you may be.
@1990 nothing like irritating the haters with iron-clad logic.
@Parker,
Marty's dog won't hunt because Kristi Noem took care of it.
@ Martin O'Connor - you are dumb bro!!
Democrats are full of nonsense and anti-American. They are our of touch with American taxpayers.
You re out of touch with reality Darlene!
Darlene you cannot reason with the left whacko radical democrats. My wife Michelle and I have done our best to raise our children the right way and can tell the difference between a man and a woman.
@Martin can you tell us why in a post on the shutdown and airports you’ve decided to go anti trans?
Well, kudos to you and Michelle. Here’s hoping you get everything coming to you for what a job you did raising your kids. Nothing like teaching kids to hate. Well done Marty. Hope you and Shelly are proud of yourselves. Here going you haven’t screwed your kid up enough to require therapy to process all the hate and intolerance.
@darlene the only nonsense is suggesting that people are “anti American” because they don’t vote for your chosen party. And you’ll never believe this but Democrats make up half the vote and they pay tax.