Charlotte airport blocks political video criticizing Democrats amid shutdown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Charlotte airport blocks Noem video, citing state law and airport ad policy.
- Major US airports also refuse the video, invoking Hatch Act and nonpartisan rules.
- Shutdown-driven controller shortages have delayed over 2,000 flights at CLT.
Charlotte’s airport is refusing to display a video at its security checkpoints from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown.
Charlotte Douglas International said in an emailed statement that North Carolina municipal law and the airport’s policy for digital content do not permit the video. CLT is not alone in its decision, according to media reports. Airports serving large regions such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle and Portland are also declining to show Noem’s video.
Meanwhile, at Raleigh-Durham International in the Triangle region, officials are reviewing the request to display Noem’s video at its TSA checkpoints, spokeswoman Stephanie Hawco said in an email. A video currently airing at security sites is operational messaging from the Department of Homeland Security about REAL ID and airport security, Hawco added.
In general, many airport officials said the video may violate internal rules against political messages or state laws prohibiting the use of public resources for political purposes.
In the video first obtained by Fox News, Noem said the Transportation Security Administration’s top priority is to make sure passengers have a pleasant and efficient airport experience.
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted,” Noem said.
In the 37-second video, she added that TSA employees are currently working without pay .
“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel,” she said. “And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
Laws and CLT policy prohibit political content
Specifically, N.C. General Statute 160A-169, which governs political activities of government employees, prohibits the use of city equipment for partisan or political purposes unless otherwise authorized by law.
The CLT policy states that only business or government advertisements are permitted at the airport. But ads concerning politics, religion, public issues, or opinions on these topics are not allowed.
Airports around the country have similar rules, according to news reports. The Port of Portland, which runs Portland’s airport in Oregon, cited the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in politics at work, The Washington Post reported. The act is also intended to ensure federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.
The TSA does not own any monitors at CLT checkpoints. The digital screens owned by the airport are used to support wayfinding maps, travel information, and its revenue-generating services.
Charlotte Douglas is the world’s sixth-busiest airport for takeoffs and landings. Since the shutdown, hundreds of flights have been delayed at the airport due to shortages of air traffic controllers. Since Oct. 6, nearly 2,000 flights have been delayed at CLT.
The shutdown started on Oct. 1, and led to a shortage of controllers, The Charlotte Observer reported. That led to ongoing delays at major airports serving large regions such as Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix and New York, according to multiple news reports.
News & Observer reporter Josh Shaffer contributed to this report.
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM.
