Skip to main content

October 15, 2025

Cantwell demands probe into Noem's TSA video blaming Democrats for shutdown

NBC News
CNBC
CNN
www.commerce.senate.gov
NBC News
+18

Senate Commerce Committee release, Oct. 15, 2025

Sen. Maria Cantwell wrote to Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer on Oct. 15, 2025.

Cantwell urged an immediate OSC investigation into whether the video violated the Hatch Act.

She said Noem used her official DHS capacity and insignia while blaming 'Democrats in Congress'.

Cantwell argued this use of official authority could amount to prohibited partisan political activity.

DHS Secretary Kristi NoemKristi Noem distributed a short video to airports on Oct. 9, 2025.

The 37-second clip shows her in a DHS uniform blaming 'Democrats in Congress' for the shutdown.

She says many operations are impacted and many TSA employees are working without pay.

DHS circulated the clip via TSA channels and suggested displaying it on checkpoint monitors.

Many major airports refused to play the clip, citing policies against partisan content on public screens.

Refusing airports included Atlanta, Seattle-Tacoma, Port Authority airports in New York and New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Charlotte.

Some smaller airports briefly played the clip but removed it after review.

As of Oct. 15, 2025, no formal public enforcement action by the Office of Special Counsel was reported.

Cantwell's letter requested the OSC review potential Hatch Act violations and related rules.

Legal experts said the clip raises Hatch Act and Anti-Lobbying Act concerns, but penalties are uncertain.

🏢Legislative Process🏛️Government

Test Your Knowledge

10
Q1

Senator Maria Cantwell sent her formal Hatch Act complaint to the Office of Special Counsel on October 15, 2025.

Q2

How long is Secretary Noem's video that airports were asked to display?

Q3

What year was the Hatch Act passed, establishing restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees?

Q4

What does the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantee to federal employees who work during shutdowns?

Q5

About how many TSA employees were required to work without pay during the October 2025 shutdown?

5 more questions available

Upgrade to Premium to access all practice questions and unlock advanced quiz features.

Upgrade to Premium

These questions are part of the Cantwell demands probe into Noem's TSA video blaming Democrats for shutdown topic. Master this topic by completing the quiz or exploring each question in detail.

Ready to test your knowledge?

Take the full quiz to master this topic and track your progress.

Start Quiz

People, bills, and sources

Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem

Secretary of Homeland Security

Maria Cantwell

U.S. Senator (D-Wash.)

Richard Blumenthal

U.S. Senator (D-Conn.)

Jamieson Greer

Acting Special Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel

Major airport authorities

Airport operators and local authorities

What you can do

1

civic action

File a Hatch Act complaint with the Office of Special Counsel

File a formal Hatch Act complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Include the video's Oct. 11 distribution date and that Noem appears in official capacity and makes partisan claims.

info@osc.gov

Subject: Hatch Act Complaint - DHS Video Featuring Secretary Noem

Dear Office of Special Counsel,

I am filing a Hatch Act complaint regarding a video distributed by the Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 9, 2025, featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

Key facts:

  • DHS distributed a 37-second video on Oct. 9, 2025 featuring Secretary Noem
  • Secretary Noem appeared in her official DHS uniform stating that about 61,000 TSA employees were working without pay
  • The video makes partisan claims blaming Democrats for the shutdown
  • Major airports including Atlanta, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Phoenix refused to display the video, citing policies against political messaging
  • Sen. Maria Cantwell filed a Hatch Act complaint with OSC on Oct. 15, 2025

Impact: When federal agencies use official channels and taxpayer resources to make partisan political statements, it undermines public trust in government. This violates the Hatch Act's prohibition on using government resources for political activity.

My request: I request that OSC investigate this Hatch Act violation and take appropriate action. The video was distributed using official DHS channels and features Secretary Noem in official capacity making partisan claims.

You can file this complaint online at osc.gov or call the Hatch Act Hotline at (202) 804-7002.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

2

civic action

Request Senate Commerce Committee hearings

Ask the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings on agency use for partisan messaging. Reference Sen. Cantwell's Oct. 15 demand and any OSC or GAO inquiries.

Hi, I'm calling to ask the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings on agency use for partisan messaging.

Key points to mention:

  • DHS distributed a video on Oct. 9, 2025 featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the shutdown
  • Secretary Noem appeared in her official DHS uniform making partisan claims
  • Sen. Maria Cantwell filed a Hatch Act complaint with OSC on Oct. 15, 2025
  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal raised Anti-Lobbying Act concerns
  • Major airports refused to display the video citing policies against political messaging

How this impacts people: When agencies use official channels for partisan messaging, it undermines public trust and violates the Hatch Act. Taxpayers shouldn't fund political advocacy. This sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

Questions to ask:

  • Will the committee hold hearings on agency use for partisan messaging?
  • What oversight mechanisms exist to prevent this in the future?
  • How will the committee address Sen. Cantwell's Hatch Act complaint and Sen. Blumenthal's Anti-Lobbying Act concerns?

Specific request: I want the Senate Commerce Committee to hold public hearings on agency use for partisan messaging, referencing Sen. Cantwell's Oct. 15 demand and any OSC or GAO inquiries.

Thank you for your time.

3

civic action

Ask your senators to seek GAO review and probe Anti‑Lobbying Act issues

Contact your senators and ask them to request a GAO review of DHS spending during the shutdown. Mention Section 715 and Anti‑Lobbying Act concerns raised by Sen. Blumenthal.

Hi, I'm calling as a constituent to ask you to request a GAO review of DHS spending during the shutdown.

Key points to mention:

  • DHS distributed a video on Oct. 9, 2025 featuring Secretary Noem blaming Democrats for the shutdown
  • The video was distributed using taxpayer resources and official DHS channels
  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal raised Section 715 and Anti-Lobbying Act concerns
  • Sen. Maria Cantwell filed a Hatch Act complaint with OSC on Oct. 15, 2025
  • Major airports refused to display the video citing policies against political messaging

How this impacts constituents: When agencies spend taxpayer money on partisan messaging, it wastes public resources and violates laws designed to keep government nonpartisan. This affects trust in government and sets dangerous precedents.

Questions to ask:

  • Will you request a GAO review of DHS spending during the shutdown?
  • What's your position on Sen. Blumenthal's Anti-Lobbying Act concerns?
  • How will you ensure agencies don't use taxpayer resources for partisan messaging?

Specific request: I want you to request a GAO review of DHS spending during the shutdown, mentioning Section 715 and Anti-Lobbying Act concerns raised by Sen. Blumenthal.

Thank you for your time.