When you’re waiting in line at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, there are typically some TV screens with a video message from a government official. Along those lines, a new video has just been introduced, and it’s probably the most unusual one we’ve seen.
Controversial new video playing at TSA checkpoints
It’s normal for the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to be featured in videos at TSA checkpoints. For example, up until this spring, there was a video reminding people of the REAL ID deadline (and for once, it was actually implemented).
Well, a brand new video has just been rolled out, and it’s not quite as apolitical as the above one. The government has been shut down since the beginning of the month, meaning most federal works aren’t being paid.
At some point, this starts to cause staffing issues in the aviation ecosystem, since many people can’t afford to come to work if they’re not getting a paycheck. So Noem addresses this in a new clip that’s now playing at TSA checkpoints. She explains that many operations are impacted by the government shutdown, and makes sure to place blame on Democrats, twice.
Here’s the content of the video:
“Hi, I’m Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe. However, 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. We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel, and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
This is the most partisan video we’ve seen at TSA checkpoints
We don’t need to debate who is responsible for the shutdown (is it the Democrats for not funding the government, or the Republicans for not negotiating?), because that’s beyond the purview of this blog, and no one is going to change anyone else’s minds in the comments section.
However, I think this video is interesting on a few levels. First of all, most of us travel with some frequency, so we’re going to start to see this video, whether we’d like to or not. It’s the most noteworthy video I ever recall seeing at a TSA checkpoint.
The only other thing that I’ll say is this — historically, the TSA has been a pretty non-partisan organization. Of course that’s how it should be, and that’s a good thing. We even saw the TSA Administrator appointed in 2017 (in Trump’s first term) reconfirmed by Biden.
Personally, I think this kind of public blame at TSA checkpoints is a bit much. For the record, I’d be saying exactly the same thing if Biden were president, if the Republicans “shut down” the government, and a similar message were being presented with the opposite narrative.
I just think these TSA checkpoint videos should be limited to providing useful information to travelers about… well, whatever… rather than trying to place political blame on others. But I also understand the era we live in, so it’s hardly the most surprising thing we’ve seen.
Lastly, it’s interesting how the video has no hint of apology. Not even a “sorry for any delays you may experience,” without accepting any blame, or anything.
Bottom line
There’s a new video screening at TSA checkpoints, showing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explaining that the government shutdown may impact aviation. While there’s always a video playing at TSA checkpoints, we’ve never seen a video quite like this, so maybe look up while you’re standing in line at security to see it for yourself…