Seattle airport latest to refuse to play political Kristi Noem video
Since last Thursday, travelers passing through airport security checkpoints have been met with a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — but not at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The hub joins Portland International in Oregon, Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona and three airports in New York that have also refused to play a message in which Noem says, “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible,” followed by: “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.”
Port of Seattle officials told the Seattle Times that the video was “too political” to air.
“The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA Airport, due to the political nature of the content,” its statement read.
This is the second shutdown under President Donald Trump, stemming from the stalemate between congressional Democrats and Republicans over health care cuts to the Affordable Care Act. The first shutdown, 34 days in December 2018 and January 2019, was the longest in U.S. history.
Since the current shutdown began nearly two weeks ago on Oct. 1, Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers, both deemed essential workers, have been working without pay.
The shutdown has also caused widespread flight delays and exacerbated the shortage of air traffic controllers, due to years of understaffing, stresses created during the COVID-19 pandemic and the stressful nature of the job.
In August, the Federal Aviation Administration unveiled a plan to hire 8,900 new air traffic controllers through 2028, offering relocation and salary incentives.
