COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Albany International Airport has confirmed that it will no longer be displaying a video provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is one of several airports throughout the country to discontinue airing the footage.
In the video, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem reportedly blamed Democrats for the current federal government shutdown and warned of potential changes to airport operations as a result of staffing and pay limitations. Matt Hunter, Albany Airport’s Director of Communications, stated that the video was placed on monitors near the TSA security checkpoint “without prior notice” to airport officials or staff.
“In keeping with longstanding policies of not displaying political messaging or content of any kind, [the Albany County Airport Authority] has made the decision to discontinue airing the video,” Hunter said. “The statements made in the video raise questions about longstanding policies related to the Federal Hatch Act, which prohibits engaging in political activity while in an official capacity, including communication that blames, praises, or criticizes a specific political party or figure.”
Several other airports around the country have also reportedly pulled the video from their TSA video monitors, including JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and more. NEWS10 reached out to TSA and was provided with a statement by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:
It is TSA’s top priority to ensure that travelers have the most safe, pleasant and efficient airport experience possible. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, most of our TSA employees are working without pay. While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary
The federal government shut down on October 1 after congressional leaders failed to reach a deal on a stopgap spending bill. The shutdown has impacted federal employees across the country, including those at Albany International Airport, who are reportedly not receiving their normal paycheck.
