U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
New York City-area airports are refusing to play Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown – as Gov. Kathy Hochul slammed the DHS chief over the “false” and “nakedly partisan” message.
John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International airports joined a growing list of travel hubs nationwide blocking the 36-second clip from broadcasting on TSA checkpoints due to its “politically partisan” remarks,” according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
“When Kristi Noem isn’t busy trying to defund the police in New York, she’s apparently hard at work subjecting travelers to obviously false and nakedly partisan messaging,” Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement to The Post.
“Here in New York, we’ll stay focused on keeping the flying public safe – and that means not playing political ads in our airports.”
The fiery clip, warning of disruptions and staffing shortages amid the shutdown, won’t be shown at any Empire State airports run by state agencies or authorities, a government source added.
The Port Authority – which also runs Stewart International Airport in Newburgh and Teterboro Airport in the Garden State – said Noem’s video violates its “longstanding policies” banning political content from airing on airport-controlled screens.
Noem, who oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), sent the video to every public US airport last week to play at TSA checkpoints.
“It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” Noem says in the video.
“And because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” the DHS secretary adds.
“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel,” Noem continues. “And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
The partial government shutdown began on Oct. 1, after all but three Senate Democrats refused to vote for a continuing resolution that would’ve kept Washington funded through Nov. 21.
