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 scheduled to play at every public U.S. airport Thursday, saying most TSA employees are working without pay and pledging to minimize delays; airports were not yet significantly impacted, though TSA officials warned call‑offs could lengthen wait times if the shutdown continues. The airport messaging comes as partisan agency communications have spurred legal and congressional action — House Oversight Democrats called for an investigation, Hatch Act complaints (including one over a U.S. Forest Service banner) and an AFGE lawsuit against the Department of Education — while the Office of Special Counsel's Hatch Act unit is reportedly out of office during the appropriations lapse, potentially delaying reviews.
📌 Key Facts
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recorded a video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown that will play at every public airport in the U.S. on Thursday afternoon.
- In the video Noem says 'most of our TSA employees are working without pay' and vows to minimize delays while keeping travelers safe.
- 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.
- Fox News Digital reviewed an OMB plan that could threaten the 2019 back-pay guarantee for furloughed federal workers.
- Former Idaho state legislator Todd Achilles filed a formal Hatch Act complaint specifically naming a U.S. Forest Service website banner.
- The Office of Special Counsel's Hatch Act Unit indicated it was 'out of office' due to the appropriations lapse, potentially delaying review of Hatch Act complaints.
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) sued the 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 (3)
- 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.
- 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.