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

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | October 14, 2025 | Natalie Robbins

[CedarDave]

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.

[CedarDave]

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[Destroyer Sailor]

Doubt it I visit any of these blue states.

[Kleon]

Shut it down until they comply with FAA regulations. SHut all of them down. See how fast they start showing the video.

[Soul of the South]

It is inappropriate to force an airport to run an overtly political message.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

As someone who flew for TWENTY EIGHT YEAR, I tolerated every singlw story on CNN that slammed, slurred and trashed Conservatives that was GLEEFULLY blasted throughout ethe dozens of airports that ONLY had CNN on the televisions throughout the different concourses and gates.

[Bernard]

Kevin Bacon on a loop saying “All is well” would be a nice touch. Of course, he’s in uniform while he’s saying it, so they would probably want something slightly different.

[dinodino]

You beat me to it! Not a single airport objected to CNN spewing their highly biased, censored B.S. to airline passengers nationwide.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

It is time for that famous NTSB intern to come to the front.

This intern was part of the Sum Ting Wong, WI Tu Lo, Bing Bang Ow report.

I have not been able to find his name, and he may not want me to, so I will stop searching. If he could somehow use his connections to restore the Noem video, it would be much appreciated.

[LibertyOh]

Yet Atlanta and Albuquerque airports have “welcome” messages from their Democrat mayors that serve as free advertising for those mayors.

[bleach]

If hackers can run pro-Hamas propaganda, Homeland Security could the same. I’m sure they have access to the talent.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/us/airport-cyber-breach-pennsylvania-canada-hnk

[willk]

“Yet Atlanta and Albuquerque airports have “welcome” messages from their Democrat mayors that serve as free advertising for those mayors.”

Denver too.

[Dacula]

It is inappropriate to force an airport to run an overtly political message.

---

how many decades did we have to listen to the forced CNN broadcasts?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

They’re not showing it in ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan’ at the Dane County ‘International’ Airport, either.

[webheart]

I guess it’s okay if it isn’t an overtly political message. Running CNN on every screen is definitely not overt political messaging even though it is political messaging.

[Tallguy]

Maybe so, but somebody “hacked” into the systems at serveral Blue State airports and delivered their message. Seems like governmental authority in matters of communication are irrelevant.

[IYAS9YAS]

It is inappropriate to force an airport to run an overtly political message.

And yet, all they play on their TVs is CNN.

[Bonemaker]

When is that little snot governorette done out there?

[ripnbang]

lol…and they have CNN running 24/7 at the airport?

[af_vet_1981]

It is inappropriate to force an airport to run an overtly political message.

The airport authorities are political; that is why they push CNN.