Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport won't play 'political' message blaming Democrats for shutdown

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport joined a handful of other airports across the country that have refused to display a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

In the video, Noem says the Transportation Security Administration’s top priority is ensuring travelers have a safe, pleasant and efficient airport experience.

“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 says. “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.”

Fox News reported that the video was supposed to play in airports across the country.

A Sky Harbor spokesperson said the airport declined to post the video “consistent with airport policy.”

Tia Dufour/Department of Homeland Security

The airport, which is operated by Phoenix, said it could not immediately provide a copy of the policy on Monday, because it is a city holiday.

“We are able to share that the policy does not permit political content,” spokesman Jon Brodsky said in an email.

Airports in Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, Ore., also declined to play the message, saying it violates internal regulations or federal and state laws, according to the Washington Post.

Some of the airports declining to play the message include:

• Tucson airport joins growing list opting out of video blaming Democrats for shutdown
• Love Field, DFW Airport won't show video blaming Democrats for government shutdown
• Des Moines airport won't show Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown. Here's why
• Sea-Tac won’t air Noem video blaming shutdown on Democrats
• Some airports are refusing to play a Homeland Security video blaming Dems for the shutdown. Here’s what SLC decided.

Officials in Portland argued the message violates the Hatch Act, a federal law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while performing their official duties.

In response to the airports’ decision, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated Noem’s claims made in the video, again blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely in impact 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,” McLaughlin said in a statement.

Democrats have argued Republicans, who control the White House and both chambers of Congress, are to blame for the shutdown, because they have failed to negotiate with Democrats to secure the votes needed in the Senate to reopen the government.