Detroit Metro Airport Opposes TSA Video Featuring Kristi Noem

Detroit Metropolitan Airport has requested the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to stop displaying a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in which she attributes the ongoing government shutdown to congressional Democrats. The airport has placed prominent signs at security checkpoints stating that the views expressed in the TSA-controlled video do not represent those of the Wayne County Airport Authority and that the authority does not engage in partisan politics.

In the video, Noem states that TSA operations are impacted and many employees are working without pay because "Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government." She adds, "Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government."

Several major airports, including those in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Boston, have also declined to air the video, citing policies against airing politically partisan messages. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, overseeing JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports, stated that its longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at their facilities.

Democratic senators have called for an investigation into the video, alleging it violates the Hatch Act, which prohibits political activities by federal employees, and the Anti-Lobbying Act, which forbids the use of appropriated funds to influence Congress.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the nation's 20th busiest, handled 33 million passengers last year and serves as Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub.