News Summary
John Wayne Airport has decided not to air a public service announcement video from the Department of Homeland Security regarding travel delays due to the ongoing federal shutdown. The video, which features DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, criticizes Democratic congressmembers for the budget impasse. Airport officials emphasize their commitment to remaining politically neutral, echoing sentiments expressed by other major airports also opting out of broadcasting the video, citing concerns over political content and potential Hatch Act violations.
Santa Ana, California – John Wayne Airport has announced that it will not air a public service announcement video provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amidst a federal government shutdown. The video, featuring DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, discusses potential travel delays resulting from the ongoing shutdown and blames Democratic congressmembers for the situation.
In the video, Noem asserts that the refusal of Democrats in Congress to fund the federal government has adversely affected various operations, leading to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers not receiving pay. Essential employees such as TSA workers and air traffic controllers will receive back pay once the government reopens, despite currently working without compensation during the shutdown.
AnnaSophia Servin, the Public Relations Manager at John Wayne Airport, addressed the decision to withhold the video. She explained that the airport has not received explicit guidelines from the TSA or DHS regarding the airing of the video. Stressing the airport’s status as a county-controlled facility, Servin highlighted its commitment to maintaining a politically neutral environment for the traveling public.
John Wayne Airport is among more than 20 airports that have chosen not to broadcast the DHS video. This list includes significant airports like Chicago Midway International, John F. Kennedy International, Portland International, and LaGuardia airports. Many public facilities have expressed concerns over airing politically charged content in what are intended to be nonpartisan spaces. Additionally, there are worries that airing such a video could infringe upon the Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.
The federal government has been in a state of shutdown since October 1, primarily due to an impasse in Congress over a government funding bill. This deadlock has affected more than 1.4 million federal employees, resulting in some being placed on leave and others required to work without pay. The current shutdown marks the second-longest in U.S. history, having extended over three weeks as of late October 2025. The longest shutdown occurred during President Trump’s first term, lasting nearly five weeks.
A running clock on the White House’s website counts the duration of the shutdown while displaying messages such as “Democrats have shut down the government” and “Americans don’t agree with Democrats’ actions.” Various airports in major cities, including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, and Seattle, have similarly declined to broadcast the DHS video due to its political messaging.
Officials from Long Beach Airport have noted that airing the video may break state and federal laws, including the Hatch Act. Although the ongoing shutdown has led to staffing shortages and flight delays at some airports, officials at John Wayne Airport have indicated that they do not anticipate significant travel disruptions at this location.
This situation reflects the broader impact of political contention on everyday operations and services within the U.S. as the shutdown continues to unfold, illustrating how deeply governmental processes can affect citizens and services provided to the public. As major travel hubs navigate these challenges, the choice to remain neutral on political matters stands out as a focal point for many public facilities.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Titan
- Orange County Register
- East Bay Times
- KIIS-FM
- Spectrum News 1
- Wikipedia: Government Shutdown in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
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