Video Of Noem Faulting Democrats For Shutdown Absent From Some Michigan Airports

Michigan Advance

October 14, 2025

Last Thursday, President Donald Trump’s administration took yet another jab at congressional Democrats, airing a video in airports of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem slamming Dems for the federal government shutdown which began on Oct. 1.

Spokespeople for both the Flint Bishop International Airport and Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford International Airport confirmed Monday afternoon that they have not been playing the video. Meanwhile, Matt Morawski, the director of communications and external affairs for the Wayne County Airport Authority, which operates the Detroit Metro Airport, directed the Michigan Advance to a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, noting that the monitors are located in a TSA-leased space in the airport.

However, the spokesperson, Amanda Osborn, was unable to provide further information on whether the video was being shown on account of the government shutdown.

An automatic reply from Osborn’s email reads, “I will be out of the office starting Wednesday, October 1, 2025, due to the current federal funding hiatus. I will not be able to return emails or telephone calls until I return to duty upon conclusion of the funding hiatus.”

Kasey Posa, director of marketing and public relations for Flint Bishop International Airport told The Advance in an email that the airport’s operations have not been impacted by the federal government shutdown with flights running on schedule and no staffing or service interruptions.

“We continue to stay in close communication with our federal partners to monitor the situation and remain prepared should circumstances change,” Posa said.

Heidi Groenboom, communications and events associate for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, said that as of Monday afternoon, they had not received the video and that it was not playing at the airport.

In the video, Noem said “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government” acknowledging the shutdown has affected operations, with many TSA employees 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,” Noem said.

According to a report from Reuters, more than 23,000 flights were delayed last week due to the government shutdown, while some 13,000 air traffic controllers and roughly 50,000 TSA officers are working without pay.

Since the shutdown began, the Trump administration has received repeated criticism as several federal agencies display messages laying the blame for the government shutdown at Democrats’ feet. According to a report from Politico, the Small Business Administration shared a template for automated response out-of-office emails for furloughed employees which reads in part “I am out of office for the foreseeable future because Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill.”

Democrats have noted that Republicans control both the U.S. House and Senate, as well as the White House, and as the party in control have the ability to pass legislation that would reopen the government.

The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has filed legal challenges against nine government agencies over the messaging, alleging a violation of the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty, in a federal facility or using federal property.

The Center for Biological Diversity has also filed Hatch Act complaints against the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Health and Human Services for displaying messages blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

The Michigan Advance, a hard-hitting, nonprofit news site, covers politics and policy across the state of Michigan through in-depth stories, blog posts, and social media updates, as well as top-notch progressive commentary. The Advance is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.