Palm Springs, CA

In a statement released Tuesday, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) confirmed it will not play a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video on terminal screens that blames Democrats for the current federal government shutdown. The airport cited California law and federal Hatch Act legal principles prohibiting the use of public facilities for partisan political messaging.

“Palm Springs International Airport is not playing the video on terminal screens because California law and federal Hatch Act principles prohibit using public facilities for partisan political messaging,” PSP’s statement read. “We remain committed to providing a welcoming, neutral space for all travelers, while respecting the responsibilities of our federal partners during the government shutdown.”

The video in question, distributed at the federal level by DHS and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), features Secretary Kristi Noem saying that Democrats in Congress “refuse to fund the federal government,” resulting in impacts to TSA operations and forcing many TSA employees to work without pay. The message continues with the statement, “We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays … and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

Other Airports Push Back on Partisan Messaging

Palm Springs is not alone in rejecting the request. Multiple airports nationwide have similarly declined to air the Noem message, citing their own policies and legal obligations. Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and elsewhere have all pointed to rules barring politically partisan content in terminal spaces, as well as concerns over compliance with the Hatch Act.

For example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, stated that it would not air the video due to long-standing policies against “politically partisan messages.” AP News+1 The Chicago Department of Aviation also noted that its guidelines “prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party.” AP News

Some airports added that their terminals are not designated public forums, and that airport authorities aim to avoid using their facilities for political or religious advocacy.