Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will not play a new government video that blames one political party for the shutdown. Several other airports across the country are making the same choice.
What’s Happening: The Department of Homeland Security made a video featuring Secretary Kristi Noem. The video says Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the government, which has forced many TSA workers to work without pay.
Why Atlanta Said No: The airport released a statement saying it wants to stay neutral and welcoming for everyone. Federal and local airport policies support this decision to keep political content off airport screens.
What It Means For You: When you travel through Atlanta’s airport, you won’t see political messages at security checkpoints. The airport wants to keep the experience neutral for all travelers.
Between the Lines: Government officials often appear in videos at security checkpoints, but those videos usually focus on safety tips and travel procedures. This video is different because it names a political party and assigns blame for the shutdown.
The Bigger Question: Some people worry the video breaks a federal law called the Hatch Act. This 1939 law stops government workers from using their jobs for political purposes. The Port of Portland cited this law when it refused to show the video.
What’s At Stake: About 61,000 TSA workers out of 64,130 total employees must keep working during the shutdown. They are considered essential workers but are not getting paid right now.
What is Propaganda?: Government propaganda is persuasion dressed as public service. It happens when public officials who are paid by taxpayers use taxpayer platforms to sell a story instead of tell the truth. Sometimes it’s loud—a speech, a slogan, a warning that sounds suspiciously like a campaign ad. Other times it’s quiet—a logo in the corner, a phrase repeated until it feels like fact. It’s not information meant to inform you. It’s messaging meant to manage you.
The Sources: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport statement, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
