A controversial video showing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown is not airing at airports in the D.C. area.
The video was not on display near TSA lines on Tuesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
At first, the video seems familiar, with Noem saying: “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible.”
Then, Noem says: “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted.”
News4 spoke with travelers at DCA about the video being shown at some airports across the U.S.
“I think there’s a place for that and a stage for that, and it’s not the airport,” one man said.
“We should all be in this together, and it’s a shame that we’re not,” a woman said.
News4 asked the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority about the video not seen at DCA or IAD. They declined to comment and referred us to the TSA. A BWI spokesman said the video is not being played and is being reviewed.
Many airports across the U.S. aren’t showing the video
Airports in cities including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix and Seattle aren’t showing the video.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”
News4 asked Keith Jeffries, a former TSA head at Los Angeles International Airport, if it’s possible for the TSA to force airports to show the video. He said he thinks that’s unlikely.
“I think that would create a domino effect with some legal action on who owns what, who’s responsible for what. And I think the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA have a lot bigger fish to fry at this time with the government shutdown,” said Jeffries, who is vice president of K2 Security Screening Group.
The White House defended the video.
“The Trump Administration won’t shy away from sharing the truth with the American people: Democrats shut down the government because they want to give free health care to illegal aliens – and Americans are suffering as a result. Democrats could reopen the government at any point,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: “It is TSA’s top priority to ensure that travelers have the most safe, pleasant and efficient airport experience possible. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, most of our TSA employees are working without pay. 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.”
As the shutdown continues, Jeffries urged travelers to acknowledge airport employees.
“Show your appreciation when you are traveling because those folks are working and not getting paid, but they want to make sure that you get to your destination safely,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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