CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport won’t show the controversial new video in which Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem blames congressional Democrats for the federal government shutdown due to the partisan nature of the message.
“CLE cannot display the Department of Homeland Security video,” said Megan O’Connell, assistant director for marketing, communications and guest experience. “As a publicly operated facility, CLE is not permitted to display content that could be viewed as political or partisan.”
She added, “Our focus remains on providing a safe, efficient, and welcoming experience for all travelers.”
The video, released late last week, has come under fire for its political nature.
Numerous airports, including facilities in Phoenix, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, are refusing to show it, according to news reports.
The Akron-Canton Airport also is not showing the video, said Lisa Dalpiaz, vice president of air service and business development, “due to the political nature of the content.”
In the video, Noem puts responsibility for the shutdown squarely on the shoulders of congressional Democrats.
“It is TSA’s top priority to make sure you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible,” Noem says in the video. “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.”
The Department of Homeland Security oversees the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for screening passengers prior to boarding commercial flights.
TSA workers are deemed essential and have been working without pay since Oct. 1, when the federal government largely shut down after members Congress could not agree on a funding extension. Employees are expected to receive full back pay once the shutdown is over.
Air traffic controllers also are working without pay. Staff shortages among air traffic controllers have been blamed for numerous flight delays over the past two weeks, affecting travelers in Chicago, New York City, Dallas, Nashville and Washington, D.C.
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