Metro Airport authority asks TSA to stop Noem video on shutdown impact

By Melissa Nann Burke, MediaNews Group

The transit authority that operates Detroit Metro Airport mentioned Wednesday it has requested the Transportation Safety Administration to cease enjoying a video message from Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal authorities shutdown.

The Wayne County Airport Authority mentioned in an announcement on social media that it doesn’t have the safety checkpoints, that are situated in an area leased to the TSA, however asserted that the company was “not searching for approval to play the message.”

Matt Morawski, a spokesman for the airport authority, mentioned the authority requested the TSA to cease enjoying the video as a result of “we’re involved it creates a adverse buyer expertise.”

“The passenger screening course of is inherently tense,” Morawski mentioned in an announcement. “The extra stress ensuing from the polarizing nature of the message might inadvertently result in battle between our passengers, which might result in security and safety dangers at DTW.”

The authority’s announcement comes after main airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and elsewhere mentioned they might not play the Noem video as a result of the political content material violates their insurance policies or laws banning political messages of their amenities, the Related Press reported.

Different airports in Michigan, together with Flint, Grand Rapids and Lansing, are additionally reportedly not airing the video.

“The Capital Area Worldwide Airport (LAN) doesn’t show federal authorities movies,” Lansing airport officers mentioned in an announcement Thursday. “LAN’s digital content material coverage doesn’t allow the mentioned video or every other content material that might be thought-about political or partisan. This is applicable to all airport-operated shows. The LAN-owned digital shows are for static content material that helps wayfinding, gives important journey info and promotes LAN’s revenue-generating providers. Our focus stays on offering a secure, environment friendly and welcoming expertise for all vacationers. “

Grand Rapids Airport officers mentioned Thursday that the video won’t be broadcast on the location.

“We have now not skilled any important disruption to our operations at GRR,” they mentioned in an announcement.

“The restricted digital screens owned by the Airport Authority are supposed for static content material that helps signage and gives important journey info,” the report mentioned. “We proceed to observe the scenario and stay in communication with our companions on the Transportation Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.”

Noem, whose division consists of TSA, says within the video that the TSA’s “prime precedence” is to make journey fulfilling and environment friendly whereas preserving passengers secure; “Nevertheless, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal authorities, and because of this, lots of our operations are affected and most of our TSA staff are working with out pay,” she mentioned.

Deputy Homeland Safety Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated a few of Noem’s message within the video in an announcement Wednesday, together with that the majority TSA staff work with out pay.

“It is unlucky that our workers has been put on this place due to political gamesmanship,” McLaughlin mentioned. “Our hope is that Democrats will rapidly perceive the significance of opening up the federal government.”

Democratic state Rep. Noah Arbit mentioned in a draft letter to the Wayne County Airport Authority that he was involved the “inappropriate” video aired on DTW and urged its quick elimination, suggesting it violates the 1939 Hatch Act that prohibits federal staff from participating in politics whereas on the job.

“Whereas this partisan video might serve the pursuits of Secretary Noem and her political occasion, it doesn’t serve the pursuits of DTW nor the tens of hundreds of passengers it serves day by day,” Arbit wrote.

“This can be a key second for the Wayne County Airport Authority to face up for passengers, with the understanding that it’s deeply irresponsible, unethical and certain unlawful to amplify partisan messaging underneath the guise of a false public service announcement.”

Employees writers Charles E. Ramirez and Craig Mauger, and wire providers contributed to this report.

Initially revealed: October 16, 2025 at 11:53 AM EDT