Two Arkansas airports not showing Noem video blaming Democrats for government shutdown

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The largest airports in Arkansas and the northwest part of the state are not airing a video showing U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democratic lawmakers.

A spokesperson for the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) told KNWA/FOX24 on Thursday that its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints do not have the equipment to play the video.

XNA said earlier this month that TSA officers and other essential airport personnel continue serving travelers despite the government shutdown.

A Clinton National Airport (LIT) spokesperson said that the airport received the video and provided it to its IT department for technical review. However, the spokesperson said there is no TSA-owned equipment in the checkpoint that can play video.

The spokesperson noted that the airport equipment in that area is designed for static messages and does not have audio capability.

KNWA/FOX24 also reached out to the Fort Smith Regional Airport for comment, but has not heard back.

What does the video say?

Noem’s video says that it is TSA’s priority to ensure efficient, pleasant and safe travel, but “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government.”

She continues, saying that “because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.”

Noem then says that she hopes “Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

Who is —and isn’t— showing the video?

There is a growing number of lists across the country that have opted not to show the video.

The Associated Press reported that airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix and Seattle refused to air the video because it violates each airport’s policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging.

Dallas, the Denver International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport are also not showing the video, according to Forbes.

However, not all airports are opting to avoid showing the video. The Detroit Metro Airport is playing the video at its TSA checkpoints, but there are signs posted saying it does not approve of the message, Business Insider reported on Friday.

What DHS says about airports that aren’t showing the video

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said the following in a statement to CNBC:

“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. 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.”