WA airports refuse to play Kristi Noem video blaming Dems for shutdown
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- Seattle and Spokane airports refuse to play Kristi Noem video at terminals.
- Airports cite Hatch Act and free-speech policies, urge bipartisan end to shutdown.
Video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown began airing at airports across the country last week.
But certain airports in Washington state are refusing to play the clip. That includes the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Spokane International Airport.
Noem said in the video that the shutdown’s effects on airport operations are the fault of congressional Democrats who “refuse to fund the federal government.” Reuters reports that some 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers and 13,000 air traffic controllers must show up for work despite not getting paid.
In a statement to media outlets, a Port of Seattle spokesperson said that the port would not play the video at SeaTac “due to the political nature of the content,” adding in part: “We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown.” So far, SeaTac airport hasn’t seen a spike in TSA checkpoint delays or sick calls because of the shutdown, KING 5 reports.
The Spokane airport, meanwhile, told KREM2 that it wouldn’t play the video because of its “established First Amendment Policy,” citing a prohibition against playing advertising content promoting or opposing political issues.
They’re just two of several airports nationwide that are rejecting the video, including three in New York state.
Tri-Cities Airport Director Buck Taft said in a call with McClatchy that that airport isn’t playing the Noem video either, but for a different reason.
“We do not have the ability to. So we couldn’t show it even if we were forced to,” he said, adding that the checkpoint doesn’t have screens on which to play video.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement that it is TSA’s main priority to ensure an efficient and safe experience at the airport. Similar to Noem, she cast blame on congressional Democrats.
“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,” McLaughlin said. “Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
After Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on funding, the government shut down on Oct. 1. Each side has pointed the finger at the other. Pointed political messaging taking aim at Democrats appears on federal agency websites, including the Department of Justice and U.S. Forest Service.
An official with Portland International Airport, which also isn’t playing the video, said the Hatch Act plainly bars using public assets for political messaging and purposes. However, some ethics experts disagree that the video amounts to a Hatch violation, noting that it isn’t linked to an election.
Washington state is home to nearly 80,000 federal workers.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM.
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