SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego International Airport (SAN) has joined other airports in not displaying a video of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.
DHS shared a video of Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown to display at airports across the country, discussing possible impacts to airport travel and operations.
SAN shared a statement explaining how airport operations have not been severely impacted by the shutdown and why they are not playing the video in their terminals.
“Our messaging continues to focus on making the customer experience as easy and efficient as possible,” SAN stated. “We continue to coordinate closely with our federal partners and appreciate their ongoing service and commitment to maintaining the safety and reliability of the national air transportation system.”
Governor Gavin Newsom shared on Thursday that his office sent a letter urging airport operators to not play the video, stating it violates the Hatch Act. The Governor’s Office said the video violates federal law and told airport officials to “hold firm and avoid being complicit.”
In the video, Noem maintains that Democrats are responsible for the shutdown and are responsible for effects impacting airports.
“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,” Noem stated.
San Diego Councilmember and San Diego Airport Authority Boardmember Marni von Wilpert wrote a letter to the Airport Authority Board, thanking SAN for not displaying Noem’s video.
“San Diegans and the traveling public deserve to know they won’t be subjected to this kind of partisan propaganda at San Diego airport,” von Wilpert said.
The government shutdown has now lasted for more than two weeks and Von Wilpert said the video is attempting shift blame to Democrats.
“This video is false, political, and flat-out wrong — and San Diego International Airport made the right call by refusing to play it,” Wilpert added. “Now we need a clear policy in place to make sure this never happens again.”
