Several airports in Texas are choosing not to play a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that assigns blame for the current federal government shutdown to Democrats. This decision stems from existing advertising policies that prohibit political content.
Texas Airports and Video Display Policies
Traditionally, airports display messages from homeland security officials at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. However, the recent directive from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to show a politically charged video introduced a change.
- In the video, Noem accuses Democrats of refusing to fund the federal government, thus impacting TSA operations and leading to many employees working without pay.
Responses from Texas Airports
Spokespersons for multiple Texas airports confirmed they are not broadcasting the contentious video:
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport: Adheres to a strict policy against political advertising, according to spokesperson Zachary Greiner.
- Dallas Love Field Airport: Spokesperson Patrick Clarke stated that the airport also prohibits political content and has not received the necessary permit for such videos.
- Corpus Christi International Airport: Did not provide a reason for not showing the video.
- San Antonio International Airport: Similar to Corpus Christi, it refrains from running the video without further explanation.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport does not have the infrastructure to display the video, as noted by spokesperson Jacquelyn Eckmann.
Where the Video is Being Shown
Contrastingly, El Paso International Airport is displaying the video, as confirmed by spokesperson Tammy Fonce. The Houston Airport System has yet to respond to inquiries about the video’s status.
Impact of the Government Shutdown on TSA Operations
As of May 2022, the TSA had nearly 50,000 officers nationwide, with over 4,000 stationed in Texas. During government shutdowns, many TSA employees are required to work without pay, leading to staffing shortages and potential flight delays.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin acknowledged that the government shutdown has posed challenges for TSA employees. However, she emphasized that security operations have remained largely stable despite these difficulties.
