Kristi Noem video: Milwaukee airport won't play message, here's why
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is among a list of airports around the country that will not play a video message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Here's why.
Kristi Noem video
The backstory:
In the video message, Noem blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on Transportation Security Administration operations and TSA's "top priority" is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.
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"However, 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," she continues.
The shutdown has disrupted routine operations at some airports, leading to flight delays. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some medical insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.
Airports refusing to play Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for government shutdown
Airports around the US are reportedly refusing to play a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown.
Milwaukee airport's reason
Local perspective:
In a statement, a Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport spokesperson said the video is not being displayed because Milwaukee County ordinance "prohibits the display of any political messages" in county buildings. However, there are video displays that TSA owns and operates.
The full statement reads:
"Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is not displaying any videos from the Federal government. Milwaukee County Ordinance prohibits the display of any political messages in County buildings. Therefore, any requests to display political content in the Airport are denied. This applies to all displays controlled by the Airport. The TSA owns and operates their own display monitors in the passenger screening checkpoints. These are not controlled by the Airport."
Airports nationwide
Big picture view:
Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and more have also said the video's political content goes against their policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging in their facilities.
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Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown. Some experts argue it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against "politically partisan messages."
The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that "prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party." In Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said it has a policy that doesn’t allow political messaging to be displayed in its facility. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said it had to "remain mindful of the Hatch Act's restrictions."
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"Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy," the airport's statement said.
Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing it because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer. The airport in Billings, Montana, "politely declined" even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.
"We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics," Khera said. "We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video."
The Source: FOX6 News referenced a statement from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and reporting from The Associated Press.