Public Citizen Files Hatch Act Complaint Against Secretary Kristi Noem for Partisan Airport Video
Washington, D.C. — Today, Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for producing and distributing a taxpayer-funded video that blames Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and urges airports across the country to air it for passengers.
In the video, Secretary Noem warns travelers that “security operations have been impacted” and that “most TSA employees are working without pay,” before explicitly blaming Democrats for the shutdown and its effects on airline safety. Public Citizen notes that this conduct constitutes a blatant violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal officials from using their official authority or influence for partisan political purposes.
Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist at Public Citizen stated, “This video not only violates the Hatch Act, but it is also an irresponsible fear-mongering tactic on the part of Secretary Noem. Many airline passengers are already nervous about flying, and this video deliberately exploits and exacerbates those fears for partisan gain. Fortunately, many airports have already recognized this video as a violation of the Hatch Act and are refusing to show the video.”
This complaint is the twelfth Hatch Act complaint Public Citizen has filed since the government shutdown began two weeks ago. The group’s filing also notes that several airports have already refused to show the video, recognizing both its partisan nature and the potential to alarm travelers.