Government Shutdown Triggers Flight Delays, Political Blame Game Unfolds

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 9 (Reuters) – A video blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown began airing at airports nationwide on Thursday, further exacerbating tensions as flight delays continue to mount. The shutdown, now in its ninth day, has contributed to over 20,000 flight delays in the U.S., including 4,600 on Thursday alone.

President Donald Trump’s administration released the video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who criticized Congressional Democrats for not funding the federal government, implying their actions directly affect air travel. “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted,” Noem stated.

While approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers continue to work during the shutdown, they are currently unpaid. A partial paycheck for work performed prior to the shutdown is expected next week. This financial strain has raised concerns among workers and the public alike.

The video, first reported by Fox News, has been met with criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of avoiding negotiations to end the shutdown, stating, “Every day that Republicans refuse to negotiate, the worse it gets for Americans.”

The TSA, however, noted that security wait times have remained low despite the turmoil, screening about 2.4 million travelers Wednesday, with an average wait time of just over six minutes.

Concerns over legality emerged as Democratic senators, including Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, alleged that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated the Hatch Act by promoting a partisan message through this video. The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in certain political activities.

In response, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin maintained that the goal is to ensure travelers have a safe experience and expressed disappointment over the political standoff. The controversy surrounding the video has led to several airports, including those in New York and Oregon, refusing to air it, citing its partisan nature.

Some airport officials have argued that airing such content goes against their policies, emphasizing the need for bipartisan solutions to the shutdown crisis. As the situation unfolds, the public and lawmakers alike are watching closely to see how the federal operations and air travel will be affected moving forward.