JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville International Airport has joined other airports across the country that are choosing not to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on Transportation Security Administration operations.
On Wednesday, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority sent a statement to News4JAX clarifying its position on the video, stating in part that the decision not to play it is based solely on its legal obligation to comply with state statute and a Supreme Court ruling.
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According to JAA, Florida law prohibits the display of political messaging on the state’s roads and other modes of transportation, including airports. In addition, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling holds that public airports are not political forums.
Read JAA’s full statement below:
Recently enacted Florida law prohibits the display of political messaging on the state’s roads and other modes of transportation, including airports. As a Florida-based public facility, JAX is obligated to comply with state law. In addition, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling holds that public airports are not political forums. After careful review, we have determined that displaying the requested recording would potentially conflict with the state statute and Supreme Court ruling.
This decision is based solely on our legal obligation to comply with established law and does not reflect any position on the content of the recording or the Department of Homeland Security’s mission. We have the utmost respect for federal agencies and their important work to protect our nation’s security.
We continue to work collaboratively with the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and all federal partners to maintain the highest standards of aviation security at our facility.
Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and more also said the video’s political content goes against their policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging in their facilities.
The shutdown has disrupted routine operations at some airports, leading to flight delays. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some medical insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.
In the video, Noem says the TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers 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,” she continues.
The TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown.