There’s a reason why they say don’t bring politics into sports, church or… airports??? The Trump administration is facing pushback after an attempt to roll out a new kind of TSA video has state officials pumping the brakes. So while President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem are using any and every platform to blame Democrats, airport officials are taking notice and taking action.
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Imagine you’re in line at airport security. You turn to your left and spot a video of Noem, who begins rolling off a typical TSA message. “It is TSA’s top priority to make you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe,” Noem starts. Then, things take a polarizing turn.
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the government. And because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” the video of Noem continues. “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.”
The government has been shutdown since Congress failed to agree on a fiscal strategy by Oct. 1. This shutdown means federal employees are being furloughed, funding for key agencies is paused indefinitely, and of course, Democrats and Republicans are still blaming each other.
Noem’s video is only 30 seconds long, but this has prompted airports in Chicago, New York City and Atlanta– where some of the largest and busiest airports are located– to refuse to play it. Other airports including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Jacksonville International, Dallas Love Field and Des Moines International also protested the video.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to Noem’s TSA video on X. “Not in Chicago,” Johnson tweeted. And many Black Americans are sharing similar disapproval.
“Even airports have higher standards than this GOP clown show,” @allenanalysis said on X.
“Any entity in the world that refuses to kneel to authoritarianism is on the right side of history,” @4blackamericans tweeted.
@davis9v simply wrote “GOOD.”
Officials in Portland said Noem’s message is in clear violation of the Hatch Act–the federal law prohibiting employees from engaging in political activities while on the clock. In response to the hoopla surrounding the video, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin once again blamed Democrats for everything.
“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely in impact at this time,” McLaughlin said in a statement, according to KJZZ News. “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.”
Still, folks online aren’t buying it. “This feels so dangerous. The open propaganda on gov sites, the media and now videos in the airport,” @HauteNGaudy wrote. “I’m sick of this dystopian nightmare.”
In response to airports refusing to play the video, @mskris_ tweeted, “YES!!! RESIST!!!”
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