DHS airs anti-shutdown message at airports as partisan agency communications escalate
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recorded a video blaming Democrats for the shutdown that was slated to play at airports nationwide, but airport operators moved to block or decline the planned rollout after pushback. The incident has intensified scrutiny of partisan agency communications — with Hatch Act complaints, a union lawsuit and calls from House Democrats for investigations — even as the Office of Special Counsel warned its Hatch Act unit was out of office amid the appropriations lapse, potentially delaying reviews.
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Legal
Government/Regulatory
Transportation
📌 Key Facts
- Airport operators moved to block or decline airing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s shutdown video, halting the planned nationwide rollout and reversing prior plans to broadcast it at airport venues.
- Noem recorded a video blaming Democrats for the shutdown that had been slated to play at every public U.S. airport on Thursday afternoon.
- In the video, Noem said “most of our TSA employees are working without pay” and pledged to minimize delays while keeping travelers safe.
- As of publication, airport operations had not been significantly impacted, but TSA sources warned that increased call-offs could lengthen wait times if the shutdown persists.
- Fox News Digital reported it reviewed an OMB plan that could threaten the 2019 back-pay guarantee for furloughed workers.
- The Office of Special Counsel’s Hatch Act Unit said it was “out of office” because of the appropriations lapse, potentially delaying review of Hatch Act complaints.
- Former Idaho state legislator Todd Achilles filed a formal Hatch Act complaint specifically naming a U.S. Forest Service website banner.
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) sued the U.S. Department of Education over similar automated partisan emails and sent a cease-and-desist letter.
📚 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.
📰 Sources (4)
No fly zone: Airports ground Kristi Noem's government shutdown video
New information:
- Axios reports that U.S. airports moved to block or decline airing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s shutdown video that had been slated to run in airport venues.
- The planned nationwide airport rollout of the video was halted/grounded following pushback from airport operators.
- This marks a reversal from prior plans to broadcast the message at airport facilities.
Noem airs clip blasting Democrats for government shutdown at every airport in America
New information:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recorded a video blaming Democrats for the shutdown that will play at every public airport in the U.S. on Thursday afternoon.
- Noem says 'most of our TSA employees are working without pay' and pledges to minimize delays while keeping travelers safe.
- Fox News Digital says it reviewed an OMB plan that would threaten the 2019 back-pay guarantee for furloughed workers.
- As of publication, airport operations have not been significantly impacted, but TSA sources warn increased call-offs could lengthen wait times if the shutdown persists.
Democrats take legal aim at "the Radical Left" language during shutdown
New information:
- A formal complaint was filed by former Idaho state legislator Todd Achilles specifically naming a U.S. Forest Service website banner as the target of a Hatch Act violation complaint.
- Confirmation that the Office of Special Counsel's Hatch Act Unit indicated it was 'out of office' due to the appropriations lapse, potentially delaying review.
- Reporting reiterates and quotes AFGE's separate legal action: the union sued the U.S. Department of Education over similar automated partisan emails and sent a cease‑and‑desist letter.