Albuquerque International Sunport blocks Noem video on government shutdown, joining other airports

The Albuquerque International Sunport has joined airports across the country in refusing to show a video of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown.

Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement Tuesday that political rhetoric was not welcome at the Sunport.

“Our nation’s airports are not an appropriate venue for political messages, especially statements that will lead to confusion for the traveling public,” Keller said. “Our focus at the Sunport remains where it should be: the safety, security and experience of all travelers.”

Federal workers nationwide, including agents at the Transportation Security Administration, have gone unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Congress failed to approve funding for the government by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, triggering the first shutdown since 2019.

Senate Democrats say they will not vote for a temporary funding measure unless Republicans agree to extend expiring tax credits that make Affordable Care Act health insurance plans accessible to middle-class families.

In the video, Noem says Democrats’ refusal to fund the government is the reason why TSA agents 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,” Noem says in the video.

Sunport spokesperson Leah Black said the federal government reached out to the airport late last week and asked them to play the video.

New Mexico GOP Chair Amy Barela said the Sunport’s decision not to play Noem’s video is “nothing short of disgraceful.”

“This decision represents yet another effort by city leadership to silence truth, restrict access to accurate information and promote misinformation that fits a political agenda,” Barela said in a statement.

The Sunport joins major airports — including those in New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta and Seattle — in refusing to show the video.

“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”