Seattle-Tacoma International Airport won’t broadcast a video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying Democrats caused the federal government shutdown.
The airport isn't showing the video, which Reuters reported began airing at airports across the country Thursday, due to its political nature," according to Port of Seattle officials.
“The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA Airport, due to the political nature of the content," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown."
Both Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1. The Trump administration has displayed messaging blaming Democrats on federal agency websites, including the U.S. Forest Service, Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice.
In Noem's video, intended to play in airports throughout the U.S., she says the Transportation Security Administrationaims to keep travelers safe, but struggles during the government shutdown. TSA officers and air traffic controllers are deemed essential workers and are currently working without pay. Flight delays have been reported in recent days due to shortages of air traffic controllers.
"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," Noem said in the video. "We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel, and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.
A DHS spokesperson was not immediately available for comment when contacted on Sunday.
The messaging raises questions about potential violations of the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity by U.S. federal employees.
The shutdown’s second week shows no end in sight. Its impact on Washington’s 77,100 federal workers remains unclear.
A fight over money for President Donald Trump's border wall during his first administration led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, spanning 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019. In 2025, the second shutdown largely stems from a standoff between Democrats and Republican lawmakers over cuts to health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
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