WASHINGTON — In a stunning blow to the Trump administration’s propaganda machine, major U.S. airports have begun rejecting a slick video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—dubbed “ICE Barbie” by critics—blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and its chaos at security checkpoints.

The move comes as the 14-day shutdown cripples air travel, with TSA lines stretching hours and Noem’s message facing pushback from airport authorities wary of political meddling.

As public frustration mounts and legal challenges loom, the snub underscores a rare defiance against the administration’s narrative, spotlighting the human toll of the impasse.

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The video, which began airing on October 9 across airport monitors nationwide, features Noem smiling through claims that “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” causing TSA staff to work without pay and sparking delays.

A DHS spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on October 10 that the campaign targets travelers in security lines, aiming to shift blame amid a crisis echoing the 35-day shutdown of 2019 under Trump’s first term.

But airports like LAX, JFK, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson—handling millions of passengers daily—have quietly pulled the plug, citing neutrality policies and pressure from local officials. “We’re not a billboard for political spin,” an LAX spokesperson told The Daily Beast, requesting anonymity.

The rebellion gained traction after the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel on October 12, alleging the video violates the Hatch Act by using federal resources for partisan purposes.

AFGE President Everett Kelley called it “a blatant attempt to politicize a workforce already on the brink.” TSA agents, working without paychecks since October 1, have seen call-outs rise 15% week-over-week, per CNN data on October 13, forcing the FAA to slow traffic at hubs like LaGuardia and Newark—mirroring 2019’s chaos.

Shutdown Strain Fuels Airport Defiance

The Congressional Budget Office estimated on October 12, 2025, that a prolonged stalemate could shave 0.5% off GDP, furloughing 800,000 workers and halting WIC support for 6.5 million families. Airports, reliant on federal TSA and Customs staff, are ground zero.

NBC News reported on October 11 that wait times at Chicago O’Hare hit three hours on October 13, with passengers venting on X about missed flights. “TSA lines are a nightmare—thanks, Noem,” tweeted @TravelRant2025, echoing a sentiment with 2,000 retweets.

Noem’s video, produced with a $2.3 million DHS budget per The Washington Post on October 13, has backfired. Crooks and Liars called it “unprecedented,” noting her “Puppy Killer” nickname—stemming from a 2023 scandal where she admitted shooting her dog—resonates with detractors.

The Post added that airports in blue states like California and New York coordinated with governors to reject the ad, fearing lawsuits from the ACLU, which on October 9 demanded its removal, citing First Amendment concerns.

The backlash isn’t universal. Fox News on October 12 quoted a Trump campaign aide defending Noem, stating, “She’s telling the truth—Democrats are holding up the country.”

But the narrative struggles as red-state airports like Dallas-Fort Worth also balked, with a manager telling AP News off-record, “We’re not touching this with a ten-foot pole.”

The FAA reported 1,200 flight delays on October 13 alone, per Reuters, with unpaid controllers citing safety risks.

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Political and Legal Ripples

Noem’s role as DHS chief, appointed in June 2025, has been controversial. Her video echoes 2019’s shutdown playbook, when unpaid controllers forced FAA slowdowns, pressuring Congress to act. This time, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on October 13 called it “desperate propaganda,” vowing a Senate probe.

Legal threats are also mounting. The ACLU’s October 9 letter to DHS argued the video’s partisan tone breaches federal law, a claim supported by a 2021 OSC ruling against Trump-era ads.

Illinois AG Kwame Raoul on October 11 demanded a federal investigation into a related ICE shooting, labeling it “tragic escalation.” The Southern Poverty Law Center on October 10 noted a 30% spike in anti-immigrant incidents since the shutdown, linking it to Noem’s rhetoric.

Public sentiment continues to sour. A Gallup poll on October 4, 2025, showed congressional approval at 18%, with Pew Research on October 5 reporting 62% of Americans blaming GOP dysfunction. X posts like @ShutdownWatch’s “Noem’s video is a slap in the face to unpaid TSA workers” (1,500 likes) reflect the mood.

Protests outside DHS headquarters in D.C. on October 13, covered by Al Jazeera, drew 200 people chanting against Noem.

What Lies Ahead

With the shutdown showing no end—House Republicans rejected a stopgap on October 12, per Politico—the airport snub could force DHS to rethink its strategy.

Noem’s office declined comment, but a source told The Hill that she’s “doubling down” on the video in compliant airports like Miami. Meanwhile, TSA unions are eyeing a strike vote, and legal battles could tie up DHS for months.

For travelers, the fallout is immediate: longer lines, canceled flights, and a bitter taste from political games.

As one LAX worker put it to CNN, “We’re just trying to get people home—leave us out of this mess.”

Whether Noem’s MAGA message survives this revolt or fades into shutdown history depends on how long the gridlock lasts—and how much airports are willing to fight back.

Also Read: Republicans Face Growing Backlash as Voters Blame Them for Govt. Shutdown

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