Senator seeks probe of Noem airport video | JQJO

Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for a “likely” Hatch Act violation after Noem recorded an airport video blaming Democrats for the shutdown. In a letter to acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer, Cantwell cites reports that DHS used taxpayer funds and notes Noem appeared before a U.S. flag and Homeland Security seal, urging an immediate probe. Major airports — Seattle-Tacoma, Chicago and New York — declined to air it; Portland also withheld consent. DHS did not immediately comment.