Thompson, Thanedar, McIver Call for Investigation into Latest TSA Shutdown Propaganda Video
“Though Secretary Noem’s lawless tenure atop DHS is thankfully coming to an end, lawbreaking within the Department apparently continues unabated”
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security; Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations & Accountability; and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation & Maritime Security, sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting they expand their ongoing legal review into the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of taxpayer funds to push partisan political messaging during a lapse in appropriations.
According to reports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – under disgraced outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem – distributed a video to airports telling travelers they may face longer wait times due – falsely – to a “Democrat shutdown.” The use of partisan political language in official government messaging raises serious concerns that DHS is once again using taxpayer dollars to push political propaganda on behalf of Republicans.
“The unnecessary and inaccurate insertion of the word ‘Democrat’ not only breaks grammatical laws in its use as an adjective—but seems to represent a violation of several statutes, including the Antideficiency Act, the Hatch Act, the Anti-Lobbying Act, and Section 715 of Public Law 118-47,” the Ranking Members wrote.
“We ask that you expand your ongoing legal review to include this latest attempt at propaganda,” the Ranking Members concluded.
The Ranking Members previously requested that GAO review the legality of a video aired at TSA checkpoints last fall in which Secretary Noem voiced partisan political messaging.
Read the full letter here.
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