Kansas airports not showing Kristi Noem shutdown video

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Manhattan is among the growing list of airports refusing to play a video featuring Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noam that blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on TSA operations.

The Trump administration is directing the message to airport passengers across the country, blaming Democrats for TSA workers not getting paid.

“It is TSA’s top priority that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe,” Noem is seen saying in a clip published by Fox News. “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.”

Manhattan Regional Airport joins Kansas City International and Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in not playing the video.

“The video is not being shown in the terminal,” said city spokesman Andrew Lawson. He said the airport director was out of the office and further comment would have to wait until Monday.

Jesse Romo, Wichita director of Airports, said the airport wouldn’t play the video because it violates policies on the display of political messages. Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Phoenix also said the video goes against policy or regulations.

Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown, with some experts arguing it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.

The shutdown has halted routine operations and left some airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.

The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown. The Department said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.

A DHS spokeswoman responded to a request for comment, restating some of the message from Noem’s video.

“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,” spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.