The Portland Jetport is now among the several airports nationwide declining to play a video from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Coming in at 37 seconds, the clip from Secretary Noem places blame squarely on Democratic lawmakers for the federal government shutdown, which has now entered its third week.
“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,” said Noem.
“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel,” Noem said. “And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
🚨 NOW: This DEVASTATING video is playing at every public airport nationwide after Democrats shuttered the government
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 10, 2025
DHS Sec. Kristi Noem: "Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA… pic.twitter.com/YASYFzZsKs
Statements sent by the Jetport to WGME and the Portland Press Herald suggest that Noem’s video is “political in nature” and does not fit any of the designated use cases for airport monitors, including “safety, efficiency and security enhancements.”
“[The video] was political in nature and did not address any operational guidance for customers, such as limits on liquids, leaving your electronics in your bag or having a Real ID,” the Jetport said.
As a result of this, the Jetport said that it has “declined the request to voluntarily display the video on its monitors.”
National reporting indicates that there are multiple other airports nationwide refusing to show Noem’s video on their monitors, citing similar concerns over political messaging.
While some have cited internal policies as the reason for declining to air the message, others have pointed to state and federal law.
[RELATED: Democrats Vote To Keep Government Shuttered For Eighth Time In Row, Two Weeks In]
For example, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland in Oregon has argued that Noem’s video represents a violation of the Hatch Act, a 1939 law requiring a nonpartisan federal work force and limiting the political activities of federal employees.
Democrat Ken Jenkins, who serves as the Executive of Westchester County in New York, called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials” in a statement posted Friday.
“As County Executive, I believe our residents deserve clear, honest and nonpartisan communication—especially when it comes to national security, government shutdown impacts, and public safety,” Jenkins added.
Over 58,000 TSA agents and more than 13,000 air traffic controllers are continuing to work without pay as the government shutdown continues into its third week.
Democrats in Congress voted on Tuesday for an eighth time to continue the shutdown.
